Wanted activist arrested in South Africa over support for Benin coup plot

Kemi Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, was arrested on Monday in Pretoria while allegedly attempting to flee to Europe through Zimbabwe. He is wanted in Benin on charges of "inciting rebellion" after supporting last year's foiled coup there. An 18-year-old son and a "facilitator" were also detained.

South African police stated that preliminary investigations revealed Seba is allegedly a wanted fugitive in France and Benin for criminal activities relating to crimes against the state. The facilitator had allegedly been paid about 250,000 South African rand ($15,000; £11,000) "to help them move across the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe, with the intention to further proceed to Europe". Sayia Moudongo, from a diaspora association in Paris, said, "It's an attempt to scare a prominent pan-African voice. We will fight this. We will fight this until Mr Seba would be released."

Seba and the others remain in police custody after appearing in court on Wednesday. The case was moved to 20 April, with plans for Seba's extradition under way.