EU concerned over Nigeria

The European Union has expressed concern about the arrest of twelve alleged coup plotters in Nigeria last week.

In a statement released in Luxembourg, the EU appealed to General Sani Abacha's military government to observe international legal norms in the treatment of the twelve detainees.

It said they should be given the ability to defend themselves against the charges, which carry a possible death penalty.

General Abacha's deputy, Lieutenant-General Oladipo Diya, is among the alleged coup plotters.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service