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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Laos 'coup plot' uncovered in US | Laos 'coup plot' uncovered in US |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US prosecutors have charged nine people with plotting a coup in Laos, in a conspiracy to murder thousands. | |
| The suspects were seized in dawn raids across California following a six-month covert investigation by US police. | |
| Officials say the detained ringleaders include Gen Vang Pao, a prominent member of the ethnic Hmong group who emigrated to the US in the 1970s. | Officials say the detained ringleaders include Gen Vang Pao, a prominent member of the ethnic Hmong group who emigrated to the US in the 1970s. |
| As a Laotian general, he led CIA-backed forces that fought communist guerrillas before they seized power in 1975. | As a Laotian general, he led CIA-backed forces that fought communist guerrillas before they seized power in 1975. |
| The accused allegedly conspired to buy hundreds of machine guns, rockets and explosives from US federal agents who were working undercover as arms dealers. | |
| Prosecutors say the coup leaders planned to blow up governmental buildings and kill "thousands of people". | |
| The defendants could face life in prison if found guilty. | |
| A 10th person was arrested but has not been charged. |