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Coup trial postponed

Country Map - Central African Republic (CAR) IRIN
The human toll of the failed coup attempt remained difficult to ascertain on Friday.
    BANGUI

    The resumption of the trial of the alleged authors of the May 2001 coup d'etat has been postponed from 12 August to the 19th for logistical reasons, Radio Centrafrique reported on Tuesday.

    Bad weather and road conditions would prevent the six jurors from reaching the Central African Republic capital, Bangui, by the preordained date, said a government press release cited by the radio. In addition two public holidays fell during the week, and would thus interrupt the trial.

    The press release stressed that the postponement was not to be interpreted as a way of delaying the trials, but rather as a means of guaranteeing justice.

    The trial, which commenced on 15 February 2002, was interrupted on 12 March following a defence lawyers' boycott in protest at one of their colleagues being barred from appearing in court.

    Former President Andre Kolingba is a key suspect, and will be tried in absentia.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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