Former Mauritanian President Aziz, indicted for corruption, is in Paris

Former Mauritanian President Mohamed ould Abdel Aziz, August 1, 2019 in Nouakchott.

Seyllou / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The former Mauritanian president, Mohamed ould Abdel Aziz, is in Paris for medical examinations.

Prosecuted by the Mauritanian courts, he is accused of illicit enrichment, concealment and money laundering during his ten years in power.

But the period of his pre-trial detention expired, the former president regained his freedom at the beginning of the month and recovered his passports.

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Mohamed ould Abdel Aziz

arrived in Paris on September 23.

Joined by RFI, the former Mauritanian president explains that he is in France for medical consultations.

In January, he had undergone two heart surgeries and had since asked to leave Mauritania for his medical follow-up.

The former president says his stay in France will last between two and three weeks.

Afterwards, I will return to Mauritania,

 contrary to what some people try to make people believe

 ,” assures the former president.

Sunday, Mohamed ould Abdel Aziz is expected in Bordeaux for a meeting with the Mauritanian diaspora.

An open exchange session, assures Semega Demba, the organizer of the meeting.

And if the former president is questioned about the legal proceedings against him?

He is ready to answer it.

He is warned

, ”says Semega Demba.  

This trip "

does not worry the Mauritanian state 

"

This trip "

does not worry the Mauritanian State, a civil party in this case

", explains Maître Brahim Ebety, coordinator of the group of Mauritanian State lawyers.

If one of the defendants fleeing the adversarial hearing fails to appear, Mauritania can have recourse to international judicial cooperation

,” he explains.

► To read also: Mauritania: a leak in the press reveals the extent of the fortune of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz

The former Mauritanian president was released in early September after

several months of judicial review

.

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is accused of illicit enrichment, concealment and money laundering during the ten years he was in power. 

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  • Mauritania

  • Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz

  • France