JUBA, South Sudan, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- South Sudanese justice officials said they have charged seven senior politicians with treason for their alleged participation in a coup attempt last year.
Most of the politicians are former Cabinet ministers and were arrested following violence that erupted in Juba Dec. 15.
"These people have a case to answer before the court for planning and carrying out the coup. Anybody who intends to change a constitutional government or to suspend the constitution or abrogate the constitution by force commits treason," Justice Minister Paulino Wanawilla said.
Wanawilla said three of the defendants -- former Vice President Rick Machar, former Unity state Gov. Taban Deng Gai and ex-Environment Minister Alfred Lado Gore -- will not attend the trial.
Suspects Pagan Amum, Majak D'Agoot, Oyai Deng Ajak and Ezekiel Lol were to be held pending the trial.
The announcement comes after South Sudan parties signed a cease-fire last week in an attempt to stop the fighting.
The conflict has killed 1,000 people and displaced 500,000 others.
