Mr Jammeh's administration is accused of harassing opponents

The ex-army officers were convicted of attempting in March 2006 to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh's government.

The suspected mastermind of the coup, former army chief of staff Col Ndure Cham, fled the country when more than 20 suspected plotters were arrested.

President Jammeh, who came to power in a coup, was re-elected last September.

Gambia has been relatively stable under Mr Jammeh but his administration has come under increasing criticism for arresting opposition activists and a crackdown on press freedom.

A month after the coup plot was unearthed, the government said five of the 19 suspects had escaped from custody while being transported to a prison 200km from the capital.

Correspondents say nothing has been heard of them since, prompting fears that they may have been executed.