Austin man suspected in coup plot

An Austin man has been charged with conspiring to help overthrow the government of the tiny west African nation of Gambia.

The charges come from a December 30th coup attempt in the former British colony, which came as the longtime ruler was away.

Prosecutors say 57-year-old Cherno Njie and another man traveled separately from the United States to Gambia to participate in the unrest there.

They later returned to the U.S., where they were charged with weapons violations and with violating a law that makes it illegal to take military action against a country with whom the U.S. is "at peace."

Prosecutors say Njie, was one of the financiers and leaders of the coup.

Njie was arrested Saturday after flying into Dulles International Airport from Senegal.