Sierra Leone’s Attorney General, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, has officially announced the apprehension of an additional 10 military officers linked to the attempted coup on November 26. Tarawally confirmed that the state is in the process of preparing charges against them. This development unfolds amidst the country’s ongoing efforts to address the repercussions of the thwarted uprising, marked by coordinated assaults on military facilities and prisons in the capital, Freetown.
During a press briefing on Friday, Tarawally conveyed that the new charges could be filed “at any time,” underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigations. He emphasized the possibility of charging more individuals, both civilian and military, as long as substantial evidence supports such actions. Tarawally stated, “We have ten more that we could charge at any time from now; as we speak, they are processing them now. As more evidence shows, we will keep charging until the trial is over.”
This announcement brings the total count of military personnel facing charges related to the coup attempt to 37. Currently, 27 officers are undergoing court martial proceedings, facing a combined total of 88 charges. Notably, one individual, Alhaji Koroma, has already pleaded guilty to nine counts.
To manage the legal proceedings effectively, the Attorney General’s office has categorized the prosecution into three distinct tracks: one for military personnel, another for civilians, and a third for former President Ernest Bai Koroma. The case involving Koroma has been particularly politically charged, involving accusations of treason and other offenses.
Despite the complexity and volume of cases, Tarawally reassured the public of the government’s commitment to a prompt trial. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the sheer number of cases but emphasized that the prosecution team is working diligently to ensure a fair and just resolution.
