A Guinea-Bissau court has ordered on November 27, the release of 13 detainees among approximately 50 accused of involvement in a coup attempt on February 1, 2022. Those freed include General Sanca Bukuké and Colonel António Sofia da Costa.
According to a defense lawyer, these individuals were among 17 ordered released by the Superior Military Court in July due to the absence of charges filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. One of the 17, frigate captain Papa Fanhé, passed away in June at the age of 37 while in custody.
Despite the release, some detainees without charges, such as General Júlio Nhaté Nsulte and Lieutenant Colonel Júlio Mambali, remain in custody. This follows a similar release in October of five individuals, including military and state personnel, such as Pedro Badji of the Guinean Navy and members of the Combative Units.
The July court ruling called for the immediate release of all detainees in the case, citing excessive detention periods and lack of charges for some. However, compliance was delayed by the ‘ad-hoc’ court overseeing the trial, which has faced criticism from defense lawyers over fairness.
Still detained is Vice Admiral José Américo Bubo Na Tchuto, the former head of the Guinean Navy, accused of leading the coup attempt. Authorities claim the attack targeted the Government Palace during a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. The assault left 12 people dead, most of them presidential security personnel.