Alleged coup plotters go on trial

The trial of four men accused of attempting to overthrow the Malawian government in March began on Tuesday with prosecutors alleging that the group had planned to take over the presidential palace and the radio station, AFP reported.

Sudi Adaki Sulaimana, Colvin Kaumira, Moses Bwanali and Nelson Psyontha pleaded not guilty to charges of treason and theft of military equipment. Treason is punishable by death in Malawi and the case is the first of its kind since the country became a democracy in 1994, according to the report. Sulaimana and six others were arrested on 18 March, but charges were dropped against the other three, who then became state witnesses, the report said.

Director of Public Prosecutions Fahad Assani told the 12-member jury that the four planned to storm Sanjika Palace, the presidential residence, and then take over the state-run Malawi Broadcasting Corporation to announce they had deposed President Bakili Muluzi. Assani told the court he had video and audio tapes with the four using the title of "president" and military ranks to address one another, the report said.

Witness Paul Mkwanda told the court that Sulaimana had recruited him and a Mozambican, only referred to as "Abiola", to go to Mozambique for military hardware to set up a security company. Mkwanda, who worked for a security firm in Blantyre, said he quarrelled with Sulaimana in Mozambique when he grew suspicious of his motives.

Sulaimana had been arrested in 1993, after being connected to a coup attempt against Malawi's late dictator, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the report said. Muluzi pardoned him when he got into power in 1994.