New twist in Ivory Coast trial

There has been a new twist in a controversial treason trial in Ivory Coast, with one of the military judges refusing to hear the case.

Defence lawyers for the two accused say that Judge, General Oumarndaw, had withdrawn because of conscientious objections to what the lawyers describe as an illegal trial.

Before the court are two top military officers, Generals Lansana Palenfo and Aboulaye Coulibaly.

They are accused of being involved in an attack last year on the home of a former head of state.

They are alleged to be close to ethnic northern politicians opposed to the current civilian government of President Laurent Gbabo, who is from the south.

Lawyers for the two accused say the trial is legally void and politically motivated. They say that the two generals were government ministers and should be tried before a special civilian court.

The hearing has been postponed for a week.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service