A military court in Sierra Leone has condemned 24 soldiers to lengthy jail terms for their roles in a failed to oust the government of President Julius Maada Bio last November.
The sentences were read out in court with the judge handing out jail terms ranging from 50 and 120 years on those convicted.
They were among 27 men court-martialed for taking part in the attempted upset on November 26 that saw gunmen attack military barracks, two prisons and other locations, liberating about 2,200 detainees and killing more than 20 people.
The conviction follows the incarceration in July of 11 civilians, and police and prison officers for their role in the insurrection.
A seven-member military jury found most of the court-martialed soldiers guilty by unanimous verdict after hours of deliberations. The men faced a total of 88 charges including mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy and stealing public or service property.
All but one of those arraigned were rank and file soldiers. A lieutenant colonel was found guilty and received the longest prison term of 120 years.
Prior to handing out the convictions, Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba himself a former military officer said “when we reach this conclusion for sentences it is to send a message of zero tolerance for such an act in the military”.
Of the rest of the three, one was found not guilty, another was convicted earlier due to pleading guilty, and the third’s trial will conclude in the not-too-distant future.
Family members of the convicts wailed in court as the sentences were read out.
The failed attempt followed a political race which President Bio barely won to secure a second term. His victory was questioned by the main opposition APC party, while some local and international observers likewise questioned the transparency of the vote.
