Sierra Leone Jails 11 former Soldiers, Police Officers Over Coup Attempt
A high court in Sierra Leone has sentenced 11 people including former soldiers and police officers to long prison terms for their roles in a failed military coup last year.Gunmen on Nov. 26 attacked military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people.
After the coup bid collapsed, 12 people were charged in January with treason. Late on Monday, 11 were convicted in a unanimous jury verdict on 20 counts including treason, murder and unauthorised use of military uniform.
The other accused person, Bai Mahmoud Bangura from the opposition All People's Congress (APC) party, is being tried separately due to health issues.Amadu Koita Makalo, a retired army major and former bodyguard to ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma, re...