The men were detained during a disarmament program yesterday. They are the first prisoners taken into custody by the government of transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza.
Justice Minister Isabelle Gaudeuille declined to name the suspects or specify the allegations against them. But Jean-Pierre Sadou of the African peacekeeping mission said they included multiple anti-Balaka leaders.
The anti-Balaka militia formed in response to widespread abuses committed by the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels, who overthrew the president of a decade last year.
