https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231208/sierra-leones-ex-president-to-testify-to-police-about-alleged-links-to-recent-coup-1064017725.html
Sierra Leone's Ex-President to Testify to Police About Alleged Links to Recent Coup
Sierra Leone's Ex-President to Testify to Police About Alleged Links to Recent Coup
Sputnik Africa
On November 26, a group of gunmen attacked an arms storage close to Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, as well as the country's central Pademba Road Prison... 08.12.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-12-08T14:09+0100
2023-12-08T14:09+0100
2023-12-08T14:09+0100
sub-saharan africa
sierra leone
west africa
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police
investigation
former president
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Police have summoned the former president of Sierra Leone for questioning over recent attacks that have been described as a botched coup attempt, the office of Ernest Bai Koroma, a former president of Sierra Leone, said on Facebook* on Thursday.According to the statement, Koroma said he would comply with the police summons and urged his followers to remain calm and to support the police investigation.Koroma arrived in Freetown later that day to "to actively assist in the inquiry". His office also said that the latest attempt to tie the ex-president to the events of November 26 "is utterly misplaced."Furthermore, the statement underlined that the former president called for the rule of law in Sierra Leone.Koroma was summoned after his former security assistant was taken into custody earlier.On November 26, dozens of gunmen stormed the capital of Sierra Leone, breaking into the country's most important arsenal and a prison, releasing the majority of more than 2,000 prisoners.According to the information minister, 18 security personnel died in the fighting. Later in the day, former president Koroma "strongly condemned" the attack.71 persons were taken into custody in connection to the Freetown incident, the local media reported. They include thirteen civilians, five dismissed soldiers, seven active police officers, one retired police officer, and 45 military officers.On Tuesday, media reported that a suspected leader of the foiled coup attempt, had been detained.Koroma served two consecutive terms from 2007 to 2018. Despite his formal retirement from politics, he continues to hold a prominent position in his party and frequently welcomes well-known politicians in Makeni, where he was born and raised.*Facebook is banned in Russia over extremist activities.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231206/suspected-leader-of-recent-coup-attempt-in-sierra-leone-arrested-reports-say-1063976996.html
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sierra leone, west africa, freetown, coup, police, investigation, former president
Sierra Leone's Ex-President to Testify to Police About Alleged Links to Recent Coup
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
On November 26, a group of gunmen attacked an arms storage close to Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, as well as the country's central Pademba Road Prison, which forced the government to declare a nationwide curfew, officials said.
Police have summoned the former president of Sierra Leone for questioning over recent attacks that have been described as a botched
coup attempt, the office of Ernest Bai Koroma, a former president of Sierra Leone, said on
Facebook* on Thursday.
According to the statement, Koroma said he would comply with the police summons and urged his followers to remain calm and to support the police investigation.
"I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the rule of law reign supreme in our democracy," Koroma was quoted in the statement.
Koroma arrived in Freetown later that day to "to actively assist in the inquiry". His office also said that the latest attempt to tie the ex-president to the events of November 26 "is utterly misplaced."
Furthermore, the statement underlined that the former president called for the rule of law in
Sierra Leone.
"I want nothing other than peace, unity and steady development of our beloved Sierra Leone," Koroma said.
Koroma was summoned after his former security assistant was taken into custody earlier.
On November 26, dozens of gunmen stormed the capital of Sierra Leone, breaking into the country's most important arsenal and a prison, releasing the majority of more than 2,000
prisoners.
According to the
information minister, 18 security personnel died in the fighting. Later in the day, former president Koroma "
strongly condemned" the attack.
71 persons were taken into custody in connection to the Freetown incident, the local media reported. They include thirteen civilians, five dismissed soldiers, seven active police officers, one retired police officer, and 45 military officers.
On Tuesday, media reported that a suspected
leader of the foiled coup attempt, had been detained.
Koroma served two consecutive terms from 2007 to 2018. Despite his formal retirement from politics, he continues to hold a prominent position in his party and frequently welcomes well-known politicians in Makeni, where he was born and raised.
*Facebook is banned in Russia over extremist activities.
