The Moment (London)

Togo Court Clamps Heavy Jail Term On Gnassingbe

18 September 2011

A court in Togo has sentenced one of the president's relatives to 20 years for his role in a 2009 coup plot in the West African nation.

Judge Petchelebia Abalo on Thursday sentenced former defence minister, Kpatcha Gnassingbe, General Assani Tidjani and AbAtti to 20 years each.

Gnassingbe is the half brother of President Faure Gnassingbe.

The court acquitted 20 other suspects, including another Gnassingbe relative, and gave eight others varying sentences.

The president has been in power since his father, military leader, Gnassingbe Eyadema, died in 2005 after ruling the small West African country since 1967.

Faure Gnassingbe seized control, but held elections a few months later under international pressure.

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