President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, who was overthrown by a military coup, would be tried for “high treason” and endangering state security, according to the coup leaders.
The military who took control last month is under pressure from international forces to free and reinstall the democratically elected leader.
According to Niger’s penal code, President Bazoum might get the death penalty if found guilty.
After the junta declared they were willing to hold talks with other West African countries to address the escalating regional problem, the announcement of the upcoming prosecution came hours later.
The military government has “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute before competent national and international authorities the ousted president and his local and foreign accomplices for high treason and for undermining the internal and external security of Niger,” said spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane on state television on Sunday night.
The notice however did not include any specifics regarding the accusations, the circumstances, or the trial date.