Former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz described the investigation committee - which was set up by parliament to investigate his rule - as charged with settling scores and tarnishing his reputation as a former president.

Ould Abdel Aziz said, in a press conference in Nouakchott, late on Thursday evening, that distortion has become part of the current regime's program.

He added that the Parliamentary Investigation Committee was tasked with settling accounts and discrediting him as a former president of the country, and fabricating incorrect files, denying that he was involved in any corruption operations.

He pointed out that during his rule he worked to fight corruption, "but the spoilers are back again and they want revenge."

Last January, Parliament approved the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate corruption files during the rule of Ould Abdel Aziz.

The committee is investigating activities related to the oil revenue fund, the sale of state-owned real estate, in addition to national companies and infrastructure deals, among others. Within months, the committee heard officials, including former ministers during the era of Ould Abdel Aziz.

The police arrested Ould Abdel Aziz, on August 17th, based on a report issued by the investigation committee that included suspicions of corruption against him.

Interrogation
Security forces have previously interrogated officials and close associates of Ould Abdel Aziz, including a notary and accountant for the "mercy" organization, which was established by the son of the former president.

Last Monday, the authorities released Ould Abdel Aziz, while placing him under surveillance, a week after his arrest pending investigation into suspicions of corruption.

The former president was placed under direct surveillance of the Economic Crime Police, and his passport was withdrawn, while preventing him from leaving the capital, according to local media.