Benin government responds to "pressure" from Jean-Yves Le Drian
Jean-Yves Le Drian on December 10, 2021. REUTERS - POOL
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Questioned on Wednesday January 12 by a member of his majority in the French Parliament on the "
persecution of opponents
" and especially the twenty-year prison sentence of opponent Reckya Madougou, the minister replied that "
France will continue to put pressure on the Beninese authorities with tenacity
".
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With our correspondent in Cotonou,
Jean-Luc Aplogan
The remarks of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs
were very appreciated by the militants and the supporters of the Beninese opponent Reckya Madougou, but they were considered to be in very bad taste by the authorities.
The government did not make a press release, but its spokesperson in an interview with several online media on Friday reacted.
Wilfried Léandre Houngbedji pointed out "
since the former French president was sentenced twice and some of his supporters even doubted the impartiality of justice, I have not noticed that Benin has put pressure on France to request the alleviation or cancellation of Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy's sentences.
»
Decryption: Monsieur Le Drian interfered, he shouldn't.
Speaking of detainees, a decree from the head of state signed on January 6 but released on Friday pardons nearly 500 prisoners.
No
Joël Aïvo
or
Reckya Madougou
among the beneficiaries, which some opponents reached by telephone regret.
The decree was clear: people convicted of conspiracy against state security are excluded.
Regarding the people arrested during the contested presidential election of April 2021, the Criet released them in waves.
They started at the end of October.
According to our information, more than 60 people out of a little over 120 are concerned, they are under judicial control.
You see, says a member of the majority, Patrice Talon “
does not wait for an injunction before acting
”.
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Benign
Jean-Yves Le Drian
Patrice Talon
Justice