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| - Police in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros have arrested 20 people who allegedly plotted to down the president's plane in a foiled assassination bid last month, a senior prosecutor said Friday. Several other suspects are being hunted at home and abroad, according to the prosecutor Mohamed Abdou. "Terrorists tried to introduce an artisanal bomb in the president's plane which they could activate long-distance," he said, adding that the plane was due to carry the authoritarian leader from the main island of Anjouan to the island of Moheli. "Luckily, the security forces who knew nothing about the plot, refused to let the parcel on board," he told a news conference. The number two of the paramilitary police in Anjouan and another military official were among those arrested, he added. President Azali Assoumani, a former coup leader, was previously head of state from 1999 to 2006. He was re-elected in 2016 and won a new term in general elections last year. The opposition accuses Assoumani of leading a dictatorial regime and claim the last elections in the former French colony were marred by fraud. The president also launched controversial constitutional reforms which could potentially extend his stint in power. A source close to the investigation said the bombs were concealed in a parcel which was due to be put in the plane's hold. It later exploded in a motorcycle as it was being taken away, seriously injuring the motorcyclist. During investigations, the police found 16 other homemade bombs across Anjouan, the prosecutor said, adding that the alleged plotters planned to "bring people to the streets on the three islands of the archipelago once the plane was destroyed and the president was declared dead." am-pa/ach/pvh
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