Benin has detained around 30 people, most of them soldiers, over alleged links to a thwarted coup attempt this month, legal sources told AFP.

Soldiers appeared on national television on December 7 to announce President Patrice Talon had been deposed but the attempted coup was swiftly defeated by loyalist army forces.

Several people were killed and the alleged coup leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, and other mutinous soldiers remain on the run.

On Monday, around 30 accused persons appeared in front of a special prosecutor for the court for economic crimes and terrorism in the city of Cotonou, the sources said on Tuesday.

Pre-trial detention

They were placed in pre-trial detention the following day at the end of their hearing, they added.

They are being prosecuted for "treason", "murder" and "endangering state security", the sources said.

A heavy security deployment could be seen around the court, an AFP journalist saw.

Separately, Chabi Yayi, son of former Beninese president and current opposition figure Thomas Boni Yayi, was released on Monday after being questioned.

Yayi remains under prosecution

However, he remains under prosecution in connection with the coup bid for reasons that are not known as the authorities step up questioning of opposition figures.

He is a member of the opposition party led by his father.

Chabi Yayi has been granted freedom of movement, several of his relatives told AFP by phone on Tuesday. But he is expected to present himself anew to police on Thursday, according to judicial sources.

Former minister arrested

The former Beninese defence minister and prominent opposition political figure, Candide Azannai, was also arrested on Friday. It is unclear whether his arrest was related to the coup attempt, which he condemned.

President Talon is due to hand over the reins of power in April after the maximum-allowed two terms leading Benin. Benin will hold its presidential election in early April 2026.