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103 detained for failed July coup

    NAIROBI

    Seven civilians and 96 soldiers are in detention in Burundi for having taken part in an abortive coup on 22 July, AFP reported, quoting Prosecutor-General Gerard Ngendabanka.

    It said loyalist troops arrested at least 500 soldiers, many of whom have been dismissed from the army. The detainees join another 23 prisoners being held for the coup attempt on 18 April 2000, AFP reported. It added that the former commander of the unit guarding Bujumbura, Lt-Col Philippe Ndayishimiye, is among the detainees. He was also second-in-command of the presidential guards.

    Army spokesman Colonel Augustin Nzabampema was unable to confirm figures for the detained but told IRIN on Friday that some of these soldiers were innocent and had resumed military duties. The remainder will face a court-martial at a trial date yet to be fixed.

    "It [the trial] will be public," he added.

    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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