1.   Lebed, who has insisted he wants to gain office only through democratic means, denied the coup allegations.

2.   Critics say Abacha has alternatively used the electoral process along with coup allegations to eliminate opponents of his leadership.

3.   Lebed denied the coup allegations, and has insisted he wants to gain office only through the ballot box.

4.   The junta warned journalists Monday to be careful about how they report on the coup allegations.

5.   The military denied the coup allegations, but also took measures to prosecute Aksener.

6.   The coup allegations came amid a growing rift between the airborne forces and the defence ministry over plans for major manpower cuts.