Third man charged in attempted Gambia coup

Federal authorities in Minnesota charged a third man suspected of plotting to overthrow the government in the African nation of Gambia.

Minnesota U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said Friday a Tennessee man was part of the December coup attempt along with a Brooklyn Park man who pleaded guilty to the charges this week.

Alagie Barrow, 41, of Lavergne, Tenn., is charged with conspiracy to violate the Neutrality Act and conspiracy to possess a firearm, according to the complaint.

Barrow and Minnesotan Papa Faal, 45, with Cherno Njie, of Texas, unsuccessfully attempted the coup against the government of the West African nation, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said.

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According to the criminal complaint, the men allegedly purchased multiple firearms, including semi-automatic rifles and shipped them to Gambia for use in the coup attempt.

They also acquired night-vision goggles, body armor, ammunition, black military-style uniform pants, and boots last fall.

Faal told investigators he has served in the U.S. Army and Air Force. He pleaded guilty to two counts Thursday. He also told investigators about Barrow and Njie, according to an affidavit supporting the criminal complaint.

Federal prosecutors say Faal was part of a group of 10 to 12 men, most from the United States and Europe, who traveled to their native Gambia to carry out the coup attempt. Barrow served in the Tennessee Army National Guard until January 2014, while others involved in the operation had also served in the U.S. or Gambian armies.

The group's plan for the coup was to restore democracy to Gambia and improve the lives of its people, according to the complaint.

They hoped they would be able to take over the country without having to kill any Gambians, the complaint said. They also expected to be joined by up to 160 members of the local Gambian military who supposedly agreed to participate in the coup.

The group's plan was stored online, where only the members of the conspiracy could view it, prosecutors said.

They say on Dec. 30, Faal and the other fighters gathered in the woods near the presidential palace, aiming to storm the building. The soldiers guarding the complex fired on them, killing several.

Editor's note: This story was updated to eliminate the characterization of Faal as a leader of the group.