Niger’s mutinous soldiers have announced they will prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining state security.

This comes just hours after the coup leaders said they were open to dialogue with West African nations to resolve the mounting regional crisis.

The announcement by spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, which aired on state television Sunday night, said the military regime had “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute before competent national and international authorities the ousted president and his local and foreign accomplices for high treason and for undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”

It’s the latest sign that the junta plans to resist international pressure to return power to Mr. Bazoum.

Bazoum has been held in the basement of his palace since the military staged a coup about three weeks ago.