BLANTYRE, Malawi – A Malawian magistrate says that 12 top government officials and former cabinet ministers must stand trial for treason for an alleged coup plot last year following the sudden death of former Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika last April.
Magistrate Agnes Chinangwa confirmed the charges Wednesday in the capital, Lilongwe, following the release of an official report into Mutharika's death which alleged that the officials tried to prevent then Vice President Joyce Banda from becoming president.
An additional charge of inciting mutiny was pressed against Peter Mutharika, the late president's brother and two others. The three allegedly urged Army Commander General Henry Odillo to order "the army to just take over" to prevent Banda from becoming president, according to the inquiry report.
