A group of former soldiers are going to prison for plotting to overthrow Gambia’s President Adama Barrow in 2017.
A military court-martial sentenced seven of the accused to nine years in jail. Another convicted soldier received a three-year sentence.
The soldiers were led by a former military aide to ex-president Yahya Jammeh who ruled the West African country for 22 years before losing an election to Barrow in late 2016 and then refusing to step down.
The ex-soldiers who pleaded not guilty were charged with nine counts including treason for conspiring to detain ministers and military officials as well as attack an international force that had been set up in the country to retain order after Jammeh’s resentful exit from office.
The Court Martial was quoted saying the plotters were in contact with former president Jammeh over the messaging service Whatsapp and discussed attacking troops in areas of the country still considered loyal to the former president.
Human rights groups and the current Barrow government say Jammeh’s 22-year rule was tainted by human rights abuses and fraud. Jammeh denies the allegations.
Family members of the convicted soldiers say they will appeal Monday’s verdict.
