Authorities in Benin Republic have placed Candide Azannai, a former Defence Minister and leading opposition figure, in pre-trial detention over allegations linked to a recent attempted coup.
Gatekeepers News reports that Azannai was taken into custody last week after his arrest at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou and is facing accusations of plotting against the state and inciting rebellion.
Security sources said the former minister was questioned for several hours at the country’s anti-terrorism court before police escorted him away in the early hours of the morning.
His detention comes amid a wider crackdown that has seen about 30 suspects, most of them soldiers, arrested on allegations of treason connected to the failed plot.
The arrests followed a broadcast earlier this month by a group calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, which claimed that President Patrice Talon and other political officeholders had been removed and that state institutions were dissolved.
The presidency later dismissed the claims, stating that President Talon was safe and that loyal forces had restored control.
Reports indicate that the attempted takeover led to fatalities, while several suspected mutineers, including an alleged ringleader, remain at large. Investigations are ongoing as authorities tighten security and question additional suspects.
