A military court in Yundum, Gambia, on Monday sentenced seven soldiers to nine years in jail for plotting to overthrow President Adama Barrow.
The court handed a three-year prison term to another soldier.
Additionally, the court acquitted four other soldiers who were arrested together with the eight who got jail sentences.
The sentences were handed out in connection with events in 2017 following the removal of former president Yahya Jammeh, who had ruled the West African country for 22 years.
The head of the tribunal Colonel Salifu Bojang said two of the 12 soldiers had accepted plotting how to arrest several important figures, including cabinet ministers, the Chief of Defence Staff and battalion commanders of the Gambia Armed Forces.
Bojang said the soldiers had also created a WhatsApp group where they planned an attack on the West African Military Force (ECOMIG), which was stationed in Gambia to help maintain order.
A Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, which began its operations in October 2018, was formed to clear up Jammeh’s 22-year administration in the hope of providing justice and closure for victims.
The commission was granted the right to investigate and recommend for prosecution or reparations, but not to pass sentences.
Jammehis accused of siphoning almost $1 billion (£760 million) from Gambia before his flight into exile in 2017.
