The former president of the National Assembly of Sao Tome and Principe and Delfim Neves was arrested this Friday morning, after an attack on the military headquarters, meanwhile neutralized, announced the Prime Minister of Sao Tome, Patrice Trovoada.
“We were the target of an attempted coup, which began around 00:40 and ended, operationally speaking, shortly after 06:00. [horas locais, mesma hora em Lisboa]”, said the head of government at a press conference.
Patrice Trovoada said that “everything indicates” that the attack took place “at the request of some personalities.”
“The General Staff informed me that they detained some people, based on statements from the first group of four [atacantes] who was arrested and neutralized. Some better-known names, Arlécio Costa, are being held at the barracks and Delfim Neves is also being held at the barracks,” the prime minister said.
A group of men invaded the Sao Tome and Principe military barracks last night, causing serious injuries, and the attack was neutralized early in the morning, local sources informed Lusa.
“Four men wanted to rob the barracks and took the day officer hostage,” said a government source, who assured that the attack began shortly after 00:00 on Friday (same Lisbon time).
The attack, said the same source, was “neutralized around 06:00 in the morning”, with the arrest of the elements and an investigation process has already been opened.
According to a medical source, during the robbery, a man was seriously injured due to the attacks, but is now recovering.
The same source added that the thieves were between 21 and 24 years old and had the help of “some internal soldiers, who allowed them to enter the barracks.”
Reports from residents of the military barracks posted on social media report shooting incidents and access to the site was blocked this morning.
Source: TSF
