The Supreme court in Gambia has sentenced three soldiers to death for their role in a plot to overthrow the government of President Yaya Jammeh in July last year.

The three lieutenants were also convicted of treason, murder and kidnapping.

They were arrested when they attempted to flee to the Casamance region in neighbouring Senegal.

The men pleaded not guilty and said they only attempted to steal arms to sell in Senegal.