The Attorney General of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, has confirmed the arrest of 10 more military officers in connection with the November 26 attempted coup affirming that the state is preparing to present charges against them.
The announcement comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the failed uprising, which saw coordinated attacks on military barracks and prisons in the capital, Freetown.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Tarawally said that the additional charges could be filed “at any time” and that investigations are still ongoing. He emphasized that more people, both civilian and military, could be charged if sufficient evidence is found against them.
“We have ten more that we could charge at anytime from now, as we speak, they are processing them now,” Tarawally said. “As more evidence shows we will keep charging until the trial is over.”
The announcement brings the total number of military personnel facing charges in connection with the coup attempt to 37. 27 officers are already facing court martial on 88 charges, with one, Alhaji Koroma, having pleaded guilty to nine counts.
The Attorney General’s office has divided the prosecution into three separate tracks: one for military personnel, one for civilians, and one for former President Ernest Bai Koroma. The case against Koroma has been the most politically charged, with accusations of treason and other offenses.
Despite the large number of cases, Tarawally assured the public that the government is committed to a swift trial. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the volume of cases but said that the prosecution team is working diligently to ensure a fair and just outcome.
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