Comoros: the former governor of Anjouan sentenced to twelve years in prison
The Comorian army in the medina of the capital of Anjouan, Mutsamudu, on October 20, 2018, the day of the strike which turned into an insurrection.
YOUSSOUF IBRAHIM / AFP
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1 min
In the Comoros, the former governor of the island of Anjouan was tried and sentenced on Sunday to twelve years in prison for undermining national unity, participating in an insurrectionary movement and disturbing public order.
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With our correspondent in Moroni,
Anziza M'Changama
Abdou Salami Abdou, former governor of the island of Anjouan, was sentenced to twelve years in prison for his participation in an insurrectionary movement by the State Security Court, an exceptional body which cannot be appealed decisions.
With a limited lifespan, it was incorporated last week for the second time under the chairmanship of
Azali Assoumani
, although the country's jurists are still debating its legitimacy.
And for this case, the court showed record speed.
In just one day, including deliberation and sentencing, a judgment was pronounced.
In detention since 2018
Thus, Dr. Salami was briefly heard and then sentenced the same day.
Unlike the other defendants in the case, he did not ask for clemency or forgiveness, but preferred to mock this court.
He has been in detention
since October 2018 following the capture of the medina
, the historic center of the island's capital.
The protest movement, which was supposed to be a one-day general strike, had mutated into a heavily armed insurrection lasting several days.
The governor of the island at the time, the designated successor of ex-president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi and a strong opponent of President Azali Assoumani, was then accused of being the instigator.
After an asylum request refused by France, the governor surrendered to the Comorian authorities while most of the insurgents had fled to the island of Mayotte.
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Comoros
Justice