Sierra Leone leader pardons 352 inmates after failed coup

Sierra Leone authorities released 352 prisoners, including 11 women and a controversial rap star, after President Julius Maada Bio offered them a New Year’s day pardon

Sierra Leone authorities on January 1 released 352 prisoners, including 11 women and a controversial rap star, after President Julius Maada Bio offered them a New Year's day pardon.

The move came in the wake of an alleged coup attempt on November 26, when armed attackers stormed a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons and two police stations, sparking clashes with security forces.

Twenty-one people were killed and around 2,000 prisoners escaped from the main Freetown prison before authorities were able to regain control.

The government says 85 people, mainly military personnel, have been arrested over the attacks.

One of the escapees was the controversial rapper Alhaji Amadu Bah, popularly known as Boss LAJ, who was serving a nine-year sentence for robbery.

But he later had himself filmed while turning himself in to authorities at the Freetown prison, telling his fans to "Respect peace and the law".

"Today, the president has released our brother King Boss La and 351 other inmates across the country," Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bah said in a statement to AFP.