Benin: rumors of an aborted coup attempt, soldiers arrested

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Rumors and social networks have reported an attempted coup that failed on the night of June 25-26. Conflicting information circulated on the subject and for the first time the spokesperson minister officially spoke on Wednesday 1 July. He admitted that there had been arrests for "acts contrary to the peace".

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With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

The spokesperson recognizes that "  more than a dozen people have been referred for acts likely to qualify as a terrorist act  ", but specifies that, "  there is no confirmation that these individuals were preparing to perpetrate this who says  ". And what is said is that there was an aborted coup attempt. 

According to our investigations, soldiers, only men of rank were arrested last week. They have plans, according to our information, to take the military high command hostage to show that there is unease in the country. There was no start of action before their arrest. They were infiltrated, spied on and watched.

Civilians are among those arrested. Me Hervé Sounkpon assisted one of the arrested civilians. It is a modest worker prosecuted for association of criminals and not denunciation. The lawyer obtained his release and the worker is under judicial supervision. The investigative commission of the Court for the Suppression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism, the CRIET, has already held its first appearance hearing, there will be others to get to the bottom of the case.

All the soldiers arrested were placed in pre-trial detention. 

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