Trial for Ivory Coast opposition leader begins

A former rebel leader and about 20 of his supporters have gone on trial in Ivory Coast over an alleged plot to overthrow the government in 2019. 

Guillaume Soro, who is also a former prime minister, is being tried in absentia as he lives in exile. 

His relatives, a former minister and several former MPs have been held awaiting trial for the past 18 months. 

Mr Soro planned to return to Ivory Coast to run for president in 2019, but was barred from doing so and accused of fomenting insurrection.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP