A Benin opposition figure was sentenced on Tuesday to five years in prison in connection with a coup attempt that was foiled in December, judicial sources said.
Soumaila Sounon Boke was found guilty of encouraging "crimes against state security."
On December 7, soldiers claimed on national TV that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power, before the coup was thwarted later that day.
Talon is due to step down on May 24 and hand over to his elected successor, Romuald Wadagni.
Has 15 days to appeal ruling
Boke, a former MP from the main opposition party, The Democrats, was accused of posting the message "It's a party" shortly after news of the attempted coup broke.
He was arrested on December 16 and placed in pre-trial detention later that month.
On Tuesday, Benin's Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism sentenced him to five years in prison and fined him 10 million CFA francs (around $17,000) for "advocating crimes against state security and inciting rebellion through electronic communication", judicial sources said.
Boke has denied any intention of supporting the alleged coup plotters. He said the message had been sent by mistake and was meant for a private chat between old friends planning a reunion. He has 15 days to appeal the ruling.
