Benin places opposition leader in custody over coup allegations

Benin has placed former defence minister and opposition leader Candide Azannai in pre-trial detention as investigations continue into a failed coup attempt earlier this month.

Azannai was arrested last week at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou and is accused of plotting against the state and inciting rebellion. His detention follows hours of questioning at the country’s anti-terrorism court, after which he was taken into custody at dawn.

The move comes amid a wider crackdown linked to the December 7 coup attempt, during which soldiers briefly claimed on state television to have overthrown President Patrice Talon. The uprising was quickly crushed by loyalist forces with support from the Nigerian air force.

At least 30 suspects, most of them soldiers, have already been jailed on treason charges. Several people were killed during the unrest, while some alleged plotters, including Lt Col Pascal Tigri, remain at large.

Talon is expected to leave office in April after completing his second term.