2 Ivory Coast soldiers get prison for links with attackers

ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire – An Ivory Coast military tribunal has sentenced two soldiers to 10 years in prison for associating with, and not denouncing, al-Qaida-linked fighters who staged a March attack in the beach town of Grand Bassam that killed at least 19 people.

The tribunal on Thursday also imposed a fine of about 200,000 CFA francs ($400) on the two soldiers, who were arrested in July.

“These soldiers would not have directly participated in the attack, but are accused of not having denounced the commando members, as they were aware of the presence of these jihadists in Ivory Coast and did not inform their superiors,” said chief military prosecutor Ange Kessi.

The soldiers had pleaded not guilty. Lawyer Raoul Gohi Bi said he would appeal, arguing that investigations are still preliminary.

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the March 13 attack in Grand Bassam, a popular tourist destination near Abidjan.

Authorities in Ivory Coast and neighbouring Mali have made several arrests. The group had also taken responsibility for previous assaults on hotels in Mali and Burkina Faso.