Mali coup leader faces possible death penalty
By BABA AHMED, Associated Press
Apr 24, 2014 11:59 AM CDT

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Officials say the leader of Mali's 2012 coup could face the death penalty after a revision of charges filed against him over the deaths of soldiers who opposed his rise to power.

Gen. Amadou Haya Sanogo led the March 2012 coup that facilitated the country's northern half being taken over by rebels including al-Qaida-linked extremists.

He was arrested in November and charged with kidnapping. A charge of assassination conspiracy was added after the December discovery of graves believed to contain bodies of soldiers who opposed him.

A justice official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief journalists said Thursday that Sanogo was informed Tuesday that only the assassination charge, which carries the death penalty, was being pursued.