Alleged Coup: Families Of Detained Officers Protest At NAssembly

Relatives and family members of several military officers currently in detention over an alleged coup plot converged on the National Assembly complex on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to protest what they described as the "unlawful and indefinite" incarceration of their loved ones. Carrying placards with various inscriptions such as "Justice for our Breadwinners" and "Trial or Release Now," the protesters called on the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives to intervene in the matter.

The spokesperson for the group stated that many of the officers have been held in military custody for several months without formal charges being brought against them in a court of competent jurisdiction. They expressed deep concern over the health and well-being of the detainees, noting that their families have been denied access to them for weeks. According to the families, the continued detention without trial violates the fundamental human rights of the officers and the constitutional provisions of the country.

While receiving the protesters on behalf of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence assured the families that the legislature would look into their grievances. He promised to engage with the military high command to ascertain the status of the investigations and ensure that the rule of law is strictly adhered to. The military authorities have previously maintained that the detentions are necessary for national security and that the investigation into the alleged plot is sensitive and ongoing. However, the families insist that if there is evidence of wrongdoing, the officers should be court-martialed openly rather than being kept in administrative limbo.