Radio France Internationale

Eritrean Troops Mobilise Against Apparent Coup Attempt

21 January 2013
Photo: United Nations
President of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki (file photo).

Eritrean army tanks besieged the information ministry in central Asmara on Monday after some 200 mutineers seized the building to call for political reform, diplomatic and diaspora
sources said Monday.

A group of 200 soldiers launched what appeared to be a coup attempt in Asmara, forcing state TV off the air.

They forced Eri-TV boss Asmelash Abreha to read a statement saying the 1997 constitution will be implemented and political prisoners freed, RFI correspondent Léonard Vincent reported.

The broadcast was cut off.

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