The suspects are being prosecuted on charges including treason, murder, and endangering state security following an attempt to oust President Patrice Talon
Benin’s authorities have detained about 30 people over their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt that rocked the West African nation earlier this month, AFP has reported, citing legal sources.
The suspected plotters, most of them soldiers, reportedly appeared before the Special Criminal Court (CRIET) in the country’s economic capital, Cotonou, on Monday. They are being prosecuted for treason, murder, and endangering state security, and were placed in pre-trial detention following the hearing, the sources said.
On December 7, a group of soldiers briefly seized control of the state broadcaster in Cotonou and announced President Patrice Talon’s removal, the suspension of the constitution, and the dissolution of state institutions. They appointed Colonel Pascal Tigri to lead the short-lived administration, which they called the Military Committee for Refoundation.
The government later said loyalist forces, backed by Nigerian allies, intervened to thwart the military takeover. Tigri fled the country after the bid collapsed and is believed to be seeking refuge in neighboring Togo.
Several people were killed in the clashes, including the wife of Talon’s military chief of staff, General Bertin Bada, according to a detailed government report, while others were wounded in fighting near the presidential palace and military installations.
President Talon, who has led the country since 2016 and is due to hand over power after elections in April 2026, vowed to punish those responsible.
Chabi Yayi, the son of former Beninese president and opposition figure Thomas Boni Yayi, was arrested on Sunday, a week after the failed attempt to overthrow Talon, and was released on Monday after being questioned. He is reportedly facing prosecution in connection with the coup bid, although the reasons for the case against him have not been made public.
The attempted coup drew condemnation from across the region, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ordering a standby force to support Benin’s army in preserving constitutional order.
Last week, Nigeria’s Senate also approved the deployment of troops on a peace mission to Benin after the neighbor requested security assistance.
