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Benin President Yayi: Three arrested 'over poison plot' | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Three people have been arrested over an alleged plot to poison Benin's head of state Thomas Boni Yayi, officials say. | Three people have been arrested over an alleged plot to poison Benin's head of state Thomas Boni Yayi, officials say. |
The suspects include one of the president's nieces, his personal doctor and an ex-minister, public prosecutor Justin Gbenameto told reporters. | The suspects include one of the president's nieces, his personal doctor and an ex-minister, public prosecutor Justin Gbenameto told reporters. |
He said those detained faced charges of criminal conspiracy and attempted assassination of the West African leader. | He said those detained faced charges of criminal conspiracy and attempted assassination of the West African leader. |
Mr Yayi, a former banker, took office in 2006 and chairs the African Union. | Mr Yayi, a former banker, took office in 2006 and chairs the African Union. |
The arrests were made on Sunday. | The arrests were made on Sunday. |
Prosecutors have named the suspects as Benin's former minister of commerce, Moudjaidou Soumanou, Dr Ibrahim Mama Cisse, and Zouberath Kora-Seke, one of the president's nieces who allegedly worked at his residence. | Prosecutors have named the suspects as Benin's former minister of commerce, Moudjaidou Soumanou, Dr Ibrahim Mama Cisse, and Zouberath Kora-Seke, one of the president's nieces who allegedly worked at his residence. |
Authorities said they also intended to issue an arrest warrant for businessman Patrice Talon, a former ally of Mr Yayi who fell out with the leader. | Authorities said they also intended to issue an arrest warrant for businessman Patrice Talon, a former ally of Mr Yayi who fell out with the leader. |
Signs of weakness | Signs of weakness |
Suspicion was aroused when the president showed signs of weakness and started vomiting, the BBC's Vincent Nnanna, in the Beninese city of Cotonou, reports. | Suspicion was aroused when the president showed signs of weakness and started vomiting, the BBC's Vincent Nnanna, in the Beninese city of Cotonou, reports. |
"Thankfully, the plot was not successful," Mr Gbenameto said. | "Thankfully, the plot was not successful," Mr Gbenameto said. |
"Zouberath spoke about it with her sister and others, and it was those people who warned the head of state." | "Zouberath spoke about it with her sister and others, and it was those people who warned the head of state." |
He added that prosecutors "have requested [the suspects'] indictment for criminal conspiracy and attempted assassination". | He added that prosecutors "have requested [the suspects'] indictment for criminal conspiracy and attempted assassination". |
Mr Yayi won presidential elections in March 2006 and again in 2011. | Mr Yayi won presidential elections in March 2006 and again in 2011. |
He had quit his job as president of the Togo-based West African Development Bank, where he had worked since 1994, to run for president. | He had quit his job as president of the Togo-based West African Development Bank, where he had worked since 1994, to run for president. |
In 2007, he survived an ambush by gunmen who attacked his convoy during an election campaign tour. | In 2007, he survived an ambush by gunmen who attacked his convoy during an election campaign tour. |