Comoros: 19 people suspected of attempted assassination against the president arrested

Comorian President Azali Assoumani. Photo taken on December 5, 2019. Philippe LOPEZ / AFP

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In the Comoros, a terrorist organization is being dismantled. The prosecutor announced, Friday, May 22, the arrest of twenty people in an attempted bombing of President Azali last April.

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With our correspondent in Moroni, Anziza M'Changama

Twenty-two people have so far been charged, including 19 who have been placed in pre-trial detention for their alleged involvement in the attempted attack against the President of the Comoros.

The prosecutor explained that a man had tried to register a parcel for the flight of April 21 last from the island of Anjouan, having on board the president. As he turned back, rejected by airport security officers, the package in question fell from his motorcycle, causing an explosion, from which the man emerged severely injured.

The investigation has already led to the seizure of 16 artisanal mines, 21 kg of dynamite and 54 remote detonators.

International ramifications

The high magistrate did not hesitate to evoke a terrorist organization whose members are as well on the national territory as abroad, citing France and Madagascar. Still according to him, the mines were discovered scattered on the island of Anjouan, one of the strongholds of the dispute.

Last year, President Azali had already claimed to have escaped an attack, also in Anjouan, in the middle of the campaign for his re-election which he finally won.

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  • Comoros
  • Azali Assoumani

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