In Gabon, on January 7, 2019, young soldiers led by Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang, from the Republican Guard, occupied Gabon’s national radio early in the morning and sent a message that the army had taken power. But the special forces’ response had made it possible to counter the coup at noon. The arrested putschists appeared before a special military court on Monday, June 21.
with our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
His lawyers have appealed for Kelly Ondo Obiang to appear in army uniform. Categorically the refusal of the judges. Finally, the young lieutenant appeared in jeans and a white shirt. When he was allowed to reveal, Kelly Ondo did not speak.
“I took my responsibility with three brothers in arms. “I appealed to the people so that the Gabonese people can defend their sovereignty,” he said. “I contacted my men to defend their homeland, so it is not an association of criminals but an association of patriots,” he defended himself.
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For his lawyer, Master François Meye, the leader of the putschists on January 7, 2019 is a hero “because he could highlight what happened in the salons and which would lead to something more serious.”
Kelly Ondo Obiang says she made a coup that prepared the head of the intelligence service at the time, Frédéric Bongo, brother of President Ali Bongo. “He felt he had to prevent the coup that was during pregnancy, the lawyer continues, and which was carried out by the president’s brother, the head of the Republican Guard’s intelligence services.”
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Contacted, the public prosecutor refused to comment at this stage of the proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for tomorrow Thursday.
In this case of the attempted coup on January 7, they are a total of ten imprisoned soldiers as well as a civilian, an opposition activist, deputy youth coordinator of the National Union.
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