Sierra Leone Imprisons 11 Soldiers and Police Officers for Coup Attempt

A high court in Sierra Leone has sentenced 11 people, including soldiers and police officers, to long prison terms for their alleged roles in a failed military coup last year.

The coup, which freed about 2,200 inmates and killed over 20 people, was led by bodyguards to ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma. After the coup bid collapsed, 12 people were charged with treason.

The 11 were convicted in a unanimous jury verdict on 20 counts, including treason, murder, and unauthorised use of military uniform. The twelfth accused, Bai Mahmoud Bangura from the opposition All People’s Congress party, is being tried separately due to health issues.

Amadu Koita Makalo, retired army major and former bodyguard to Koroma, received several sentences for various counts ranging from 40 to 70 years in prison. Tensions have risen in Sierra Leone, two decades after a 1991-2002 civil war.