Brazzaville - Congo's security services on Tuesday detained General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, who ran unsuccessfully against President Denis Sassou Nguesso in a disputed election in March, his lawyer told AFP.
The general has been accused of discussing plans to remove Sassou Nguesso from power with a French intelligence agent in a video filmed in 2007.
“He has been detained for questioning at the DGST (security services),”Mokoko's lawyer Yvon Eric Ibouanga said.
He added that the investigation against Mokoko, who was military chief of the oil-rich African nation from 1987 to 1993, was still at the “preliminary” stage.
Witnesses said Mokoko was escorted to DGST offices by several police officers.
He had quit as a peace and security advisor to Sassou Nguesso in February in order to challenge the strongman's 32-year grip on power.
The general took less than 14 percent in the March 20 election, which returned Sassou Nguesso to the presidency with more than 60 percent of the vote.
The opposition charged that the poll was marked by “massive fraud”.
Mokoko had already been questioned over the video on the eve of the election.
He has been living under surveillance at his home in central Brazzaville since the vote.
AFP