Former Defense Minister Cleared in Failed Coup
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A former defense minister was acquitted of taking part in a failed 2001 coup attempt and freed after more than a year in jail.
Jean-Jacques Demafouth, defense minister from 2000 until he was fired and arrested in August 2001, was cleared by Judge Zachary Ndouba, who cited a lack of evidence.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Oct. 9, 2002 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday October 09, 2002 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 ..CF: Y 5 inches; 196 words Type of Material: Correction
African country--In some editions of Tuesday’s paper, a brief in Section A about a former defense minister who was acquitted of taking part in a coup attempt omitted the name of the country. It was the Central African Republic.
Forty-four others also were acquitted, but 30 soldiers, most of low rank, were convicted and sentenced to terms ranging from one to 10 years.
Twenty high-ranking officers were sentenced to death.
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