Congo to speed up coup probe against ex-security chief

Congo’s minister of justice has asked the state prosecutor to speed up investigations into the alleged coup plot by opposition leader Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko against president Denis Sassou Nguesso.

“I request this because judicial proceedings should not be kept in the drawers,” justice minister, Pierre Mabiala, said during a press conference.

But aides of the opposition leader have denounced the move which they describe as manipulation adding that there is no justification for the minister’s request at this time.

“It is a political request especially when one looks at the political status of General Mokoko,” Mokoko’s lawyer, Yvon Ibouanga said.

Relations between Mokoko and the state turned sour after a video emerged in which he was said to be allegedly plotting to overthrow the president.

Mokoko refuted the allegations that he was plotting a coup saying the video dates back to 2003.

He was invited for questioning by the judicial police before the March 20 presidential election but he did not show up for the second round of questioning.

He was later placed under house arrest.

The former Chief of Army Staff who resigned from his position as special Adviser to president Sassou Nguesso in February, came third with 14 percent of the votes in the March presidential election.

#Urgent #Congo Elections: Leading opposition figure, General Mokoko, contests Nguesso's lead announced Tuesday

— africanews (@africanews) March 23, 2016

AFP