AUTHORITIES in Mauritania on Wednesday arrested former president Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, amid an ongoing investigation into alleged high-level corruption during his time in office.
Abdel Aziz, who stepped down in 2019 after serving two five-year terms, was indicted in March and placed under house arrest in May following a parliamentary investigation into suspected graft during his administration.
Mohameden Ichidou, coordinator of the lawyers for his defence said the ex-president was taken into custody on Tuesday for failing to appear before a judge last week, as he was required to do regularly under the terms of his judicial supervision.
“The cause raised in the report relates to the absence of the former president in front of the judge on Friday and Sunday,’’ said Ichidou.
He said Abdel Aziz had stopped going to see the judge because each time he went he was followed by police and civilians along the road who hassled and threatened him.
The former president could not be reached for comment. He had previously denied the corruption allegations.
A family member confirmed that police appeared at the former president’s home in Nouakchott on Tuesday with a summon from the courthouse.
The former president could not be reached for comment. He had previously denied the corruption allegations.
A family member confirmed that police appeared at the former president’s home in Nouakchott on Tuesday with a summon from the courthouse.
NAN
