Benin: the trial of Joël Aïvo postponed as soon as it opens
Joël Aïvo is professor of constitutional law in Benin.
Joël Aïvo / Personal archive
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2 min
The opponent and constitutionalist Joël Aïvo was called to appear this Thursday before the Court for the repression of economic offenses and terrorism (Criet) for breach of security and money laundering.
But the prosecution asked the court to declare itself incompetent, which aroused the disapproval of lawyers.
The Court will deliver its response on August 5.
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With our correspondent in Cotonou,
Jean-Luc Aplogan
From the outset, the public prosecutor, represented by the special prosecutor of Criet, Mario Metonou, asks the court to declare itself incompetent so that the procedure becomes criminal, that is to say send the file for investigation.
During the first procedure, at the time of the arrest of Joël Aïvo, the same prosecutor had made the option of flagrante delicto.
The opponent's lawyers draw immediately.
Me Elvis Didè the first denounces an abuse of procedure.
His colleague Ba Parapé goes further, denouncing "
a procedural malice
".
The grievances fuse: why present a defendant supposed to be tried in flagrante delicto, three months after his arrest when the law prescribes 72 hours?
Me Bonou launches to the public prosecutor: "
it is extraordinary
", then concludes: "
Free Joël Aïvo.
He is a pilgrim of peace, a brilliant scholar with a very high reputation.
He has nothing to do there.
"
The veteran, Me Robert Dossou, summarizes the wishes of the college of lawyers, namely to reject the request for incompetence of the court and the provisional release of their client.
Answer on August 5.
In the meantime, the professor, spectacularly arrested on April 15 on the outskirts of Cotonou, remains in detention.
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To read also: Benin: opening of the trial of the opponent Joël Aïvo for "endangering state security"
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