A military court in Guinea-Bissau on Friday ordered the imprisonment of opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira over allegations that he was involved in attempts to overthrow the country’s previous government.

Pereira, leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), was detained following the military overthrow of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló on November 26, 2025. He was released in January but had remained under house arrest in the capital, Bissau.

Authorities accuse Pereira of helping to finance an alleged coup attempt in October 2025, as well as committing financial crimes and being linked to a separate failed coup in 2023. Both alleged incidents occurred during Embaló’s administration.

According to a security source, Pereira appeared before a military court on Friday morning and was immediately transferred under heavy security to Segunda Esquadra prison after the judge ordered his detention.

“It all happened in a matter of minutes. He was escorted to prison by heavily armed rapid-response police officers wearing balaclavas,” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Pereira’s legal team said they boycotted the court proceedings, arguing that the hearing fell outside the legal framework and that they had not been informed in advance of their client’s appearance before the judge.

The PAIGC and Pereira’s lawyers have rejected the charges, describing them as politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from contesting the presidential election scheduled for December 6.

Guinea-Bissau has experienced repeated political instability since gaining independence in 1974, with multiple coups and attempted takeovers. The country is currently governed by a military administration led by General Horta N’Tam.