OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso’s defense ministry says Gen. Gilbert Diendere, who took power after a recent short-lived coup, is now in custody.
Defense ministry spokesman Boureima Ouedgraogo told The Associated Press on Thursday that Diendere is now with the gendarmerie.
Diendere, who led the September coup and stepped down after about a week, had sought refuge at the Vatican Embassy after the army on Tuesday opened fire on his supporters in the presidential guard to force them to disarm, a person who works closely with the clergy said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he didn’t have permission to speak to journalists.
Diendere earlier said he was willing to hand himself in. The government had said negotiations were underway for his surrender.
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