Malawi police arrest 'coup plotters'

Police in Malawi say they have arrested six people who were planning to overthrow President Bakili Muluzi's government in a coup.

A senior police officer Milward Chikwamba told the BBC that all six had been charged with treason -- an offence which carries the death penalty in Malawi. He said more arrests were likely.

He named one of the suspects as a civilian, Sudi Adaki Sulaimana, but declined to comment on reports that the other five were soldiers.

In 1993, Mr Sulaimana was charged with a group of soldiers with attempting to overthrow the then president, Hastings Banda.

He was pardoned the following year by the new President, Bakili Muluzi.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service