Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau) – The leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), Domingos Simões Pereira, was on Friday heard behind closed doors at the Superior Military Court, where his lawyers later announced that he is neither a suspect nor a target in any proceedings linked to the October 25, 2025, attempted coup d’état.
Simões Pereira arrived at the court premises at approximately 9:15 a.m. on February 13, 2026, in a V8 vehicle accompanied by a convoy of five cars.
Heavy Security and Restricted Access
Three of the vehicles belonged to the Rapid Intervention Police, while another was assigned to the Military Police.
Security forces moved swiftly to clear the perimeter of the court building, evacuating all individuals in the vicinity, including taxi and van drivers who normally operate in the area. Reinforced security measures were visible from the roundabout near the headquarters to the entrance of the Superior Military Court.
The hearing was conducted behind closed doors. According to information obtained by The Gambia Journal, Simões Pereira was accompanied by one of his lawyers during questioning by the Military Justice prosecutor.
A member of the legal team, speaking by telephone from outside the court, confirmed that the defense had full access to their client as determined by the prosecutor’s office but declined to comment on the substance of the case while proceedings were ongoing.
Heard as Declarant, Not Suspect
At the conclusion of the hearing, Mário Lino Pereira da Veiga, spokesperson for the collective of lawyers representing the PAIGC leader, addressed the press. He clarified that his client had been summoned solely to provide information in the context of investigations into the attempted coup of October 25, 2025.
“There is nothing to suggest suspicion against Domingos Simões Pereira. No proceedings have been initiated against him. He was heard as a declarant, not as a suspect,” the lawyer emphasized.
According to Pereira da Veiga, the purpose of the session was to gather any information Simões Pereira might have regarding the events of the attempted coup, not to investigate him for alleged involvement. He further stated that his client informed the court he had no knowledge of the alleged plot.
When asked whether Simões Pereira could be summoned again, the lawyer said this was unlikely, stressing that his client is neither under investigation nor formally implicated in the case.
House Arrest Order Not From Military Court
A significant element of Friday’s proceedings concerned the controversial house arrest order imposed on Simões Pereira following his release from detention.
The PAIGC leader had been released on January 30, 2026, after spending 64 days in detention at the Second Police Station of the National Commissioner of Public Order. He was subsequently placed under house arrest.
However, Pereira da Veiga revealed that the Superior Military Court informed the defense that the decision to place Simões Pereira under house arrest did not originate from that judicial body. This clarification raises fresh questions about the legal basis and authority behind the restrictive measure.
Earlier this week, on February 11, the Military Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Superior Military Court issued a decree ordering the security detail stationed at Simões Pereira’s residence to allow unrestricted access to his lawyers and permit free communication.
Political and Legal Implications
Simões Pereira, who also coordinates the Plataforma Aliança Inclusiva called the Terra Ranka Coalition, remains a central political figure in Guinea-Bissau.
His questioning comes amid heightened tensions following the failed October 2025 coup attempt, an episode that has intensified scrutiny of political actors and security institutions alike.
Friday’s hearing appears to mark a de-escalation in legal pressure against the PAIGC leader, at least within the military jurisdiction. Nonetheless, the unresolved issue of his house arrest and the authority under which it was imposed could continue to fuel political and legal debate in the days ahead.
