Government denies coup plot reports

The Sierra Leone government on Monday denied media reports that six alleged coup plotters, including an army major, had been arrested in the capital, Freetown.

Sierra Leone radio quoted the Ministry of Defence as saying in a statement said that the reports of a coup plot were "irresponsible" and intended to create "confusion at a time when the people of Sierra Leone are working towards consolidating the peace".

Some media had reported that the army officers involved in the plot were detained for questioning on Thursday. Reuters news agency said the six were reported to have encouraged other soldiers to mutiny. "We are investigating whether the uprising would have led to a coup to overthrow the government," a source was quoted as saying.

An online news service, Sierra Leone web, reported that the six were arrested at the Benguma military training center and were being held at Defence Headquarters. Among those arrested was a Major Francis Gortor, Sierra Leone Web said. Former Revolutionary United Front spokesman Gibril Massaquoi was also reportedly questioned.

The radio broadcast said, however, that Gortor had been arrested for some careless utterances, investigated and released, and that he had returned to his regular duty station.