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Guinea-Bissau's military junta has released opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira after a court ordered that he be allowed to travel to Portugal for medical treatment, according to Africa News. The former prime minister had been arrested for a second time earlier this month, charged with financing and providing logistical support for an alleged coup attempt in October 2025.

Coverage Comparison

Africa News reported across several updates that Pereira was freed after a court ruled he could travel to Portugal for medical care. The outlet also noted that his release came days after the West African bloc ECOWAS urged the military-led government to unconditionally release all detained political figures, saying this would "bolster the credibility" of the country's transition process.

In earlier coverage, Africa News described Pereira's initial detention by a military court, his subsequent release from prison in January, and his re-arrest. The reports also detailed that a military court had placed Pereira in pre-trial detention, accused of involvement in an attempted coup in October 2025, which he allegedly helped finance. He also faces charges of separate financial crimes and involvement in a 2023 coup. Pereira has denied the accusations.

Key Claims

  • Domingos Simões Pereira was freed by Guinea-Bissau's junta after a court ordered he should be allowed to travel to Portugal for medical treatment, as reported by Africa News.
  • Pereira was arrested for a second time earlier this month on charges of financing and providing logistical support for an alleged coup attempt in October 2025, according to Africa News.
  • The West African bloc ECOWAS urged Guinea-Bissau's military-led government to unconditionally release all detained political figures, including Pereira, in a statement at the end of a summit in Sierra Leone, as reported by Africa News.
  • Pereira was one of several senior politicians imprisoned by the military after it seized power in November 2025, replacing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, according to Africa News.
  • A military court placed Pereira in pre-trial detention on Friday, and he was taken under heavy escort to the capital's Segunda Esquadra prison, as reported by Africa News.
  • Pereira faces charges of separate financial crimes and involvement in a 2023 coup, according to Africa News.
  • Guinea-Bissau's military leaders adopted a year-long transitional charter in December that requires presidential and legislative elections to be held at the end of 12 months, as reported by Africa News.
  • Guinea-Bissau has seen five coups d'etat and several attempted overthrows since its independence in 1974, according to Africa News.
Pereira, who leads the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, was barred from standing in the presidential race scheduled for 6 December. His lawyers and his party say the accusations against him are part of a politically motivated campaign aimed at excluding him from the election, as reported by Africa News. The court will re-evaluate Pereira's status after his 90-day medical leave expires, according to Africa News.