Benin Republic on Saturday placed a former defence minister and prominent opposition politician, Candide Azannai, in pre-trial detention as part of investigations into the failed coup attempt earlier this month.
According to an AFP journalist, Azannai was accused of plotting against the state and incitement to rebellion following his arrest last week at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou.
Azannai’s detention comes in the aftermath of the failed December 7 coup, despite the opposition figure publicly condemning the attempted overthrow.
His remand followed several hours of questioning at Benin’s anti-terrorism court. An AFP reporter said police escorted him away at dawn before taking him into custody.
The detention is the latest development linked to the foiled coup, after about 30 people, mostly soldiers, were jailed on Tuesday on treason charges.
On December 7, soldiers appeared on national television claiming they had toppled President Patrice Talon. However, loyalist forces swiftly crushed the plot with assistance from the Nigerian Air Force.
Several people were reportedly killed during the uprising, while some mutineers, including the alleged coup leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, remain at large.
While Talon has received praise for driving economic growth, critics accuse his administration of creeping authoritarianism in a country once celebrated for democratic stability.
In recent years, Benin has also faced growing jihadist violence in its northern regions.
President Talon is expected to hand over power in April after completing the constitutionally permitted two terms in office.