A military court in Sierra Leone has sentenced 24 soldiers to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Julius Maada Bio in November.
On Friday, the court handed down prison sentences ranging from 50 to 120 years for those convicted. The soldiers were among 27 men court-martialed for their roles in the November 26th coup attempt, which included attacks on military barracks, prisons, and other locations, resulting in over 20 deaths and the release of about 2,200 inmates.
In July, 11 civilians, along with police and prison officers, were also jailed for their participation in the insurrection.
A military jury found most of the soldiers guilty on 88 charges, including mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, and theft of public or service property. Among those convicted, a lieutenant colonel received the longest sentence of 120 years.
Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba, a former military officer, emphasized that the severe sentences were meant to send a message of “zero tolerance” for such acts within the military.
Of the remaining three soldiers, one was acquitted, another was sentenced earlier after pleading guilty, and the third’s trial is still ongoing.
Family members of the convicted soldiers were visibly distraught as the sentences were announced.
The failed coup attempt followed a contested election in which President Bio narrowly secured a second term, a victory disputed by the main opposition APC party and questioned by some observers.
