A ZAMBIAN high court on Friday sentenced 59 soldiers to death after they were found guilty of treason for a failed coup attempt in 1997. Judge Japhet Banda also sentenced one soldier to 21 years in jail for concealing knowledge of treason from the authorities. Earlier, seven defendants were acquitted. Army officers attempted to seize power in October 1997 but were overpowered five hours later by troops loyal to President Frederick Chiluba. It was led by a small group of junior officers who occupied the national radio station. Last year, former President Kenneth Kaunda and another politician charged along with the soldiers were acquitted when the court ruled that the state had failed to produce any evidence against them.
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