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African Regional News Updates |
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2 May 2009 Lome - Police in Togo have arrested 10
civilians as part of an investigation into a coup
attempt against President Faure Gnassingbe in
mid-April, the state prosecutor said on Friday.
"The main people charged have made detailed
confessions," prosecutor Robert Bakai said in a
statement.
"Speeches that were to have been given after the
overthrow of institutions of the republic have been
seized and sealed."
The prosecutor did not name the civilians, but on
April 15, the president's half-brother Kpatcha
Gnassingbe, a former defence minister and leading
suspect, was arrested before he could take refuge in
the US embassy.
Eighteen soldiers (five officers, 10 non-commissioned
officers and three privates) as well as a deputy
police officer are being held currently under military
jurisdiction, Bakai added.
President Gnassingbe on April 18 denounced the coup
plot that had led to the arrest of Kpatcha Gnassingbe,
but did not directly accuse his half-brother of
plotting against him.
Kpatcha Gnassingbe is seen as a member of the small
west African country's political old guard.
He is thought to be opposed to measures taken by the
new leader since he came to power after the death of
their father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled Togo with
an iron fist from 1967 to 2005.
As the alleged king-pin of the foiled coup, Kpatcha
Gnassingbe, was charged on his arrest with "plotting a
coup" and "attempted attacks on the security of the
state."
He is also a member of the political bureau of the
ruling Togolese People's Rally (RPT).
Another brother of the president, Essolizam Gnassingbe,
has also been detained, say diplomatic sources. But
his arrest has not been officially confirmed.
Bakai said Friday that a number of the suspects
initially detained in a round-up after the military
stormed Kpatcha Gnassingbe's home in a bloody raid
early on April 2, had been released due to lack of
evidence. - Sapa-AFP |
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