Mauritania: the former president heard in the investigation into economic crimes

(illustration) Former Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz during the handover ceremony to the current president, August 1, 2019 in Nouakchott Seyllou / dpa

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3 min

In Mauritania, former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz went on Monday, August 17 in the late afternoon, to the premises of the National Security to respond to a summons from the police services for the repression of economic crimes. 

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Monday, at the end of the evening, the former president was still in the premises of the security Monday and our correspondent in Nouakchott was able to join his lawyer Master Taghioullah Aïda.

Listen to the explanation of the lawyer of the former Mauritanian President Ould Abdel Aziz on the conditions of his hearing

Salem Mejbour

"  The former president received a summons around 4 pm and for 5.30 pm, an unreasonable delay and not in conformity with the applicable law in Mauritania  ", explains at the microphone of our correspondent Salem Mejbour , the lawyer who accompanied his client to the National Security. There, the Mauritanian lawyer was asked to withdraw, to leave; a situation that he disputes. Every citizen has the right to a lawyer. “  We are surprised at this way of treating the former president. The state has the right to prosecute and investigate, but every citizen has the right to legal assistance,  ”continues the lawyer.

The police are investigating alleged cases of corruption and embezzlement of public property pointed out in a parliamentary investigation report on the management of the former president, between 2008 and 2019. A report validated by the National Assembly on July 28 and sent to justice on August 5.

► See also: Parliament approves the investigation report on the Abdel Aziz years

Several ministers and former prime ministers of the Aziz regime have already been heard by the police on the questionable award of a contract for the construction of a container terminal at the port of Nouakchott. Police confiscated the passports of former members of the Aziz government.

► To read also : In Mauritania, a cabinet reshuffle in the shadow of the report on the Aziz years

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  • Mauritania
  • Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
  • Corruption