In Mauritania, the trial of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (2009-2019), prosecuted for corruption, influence peddling and illicit enrichment, was suspended for 15 days on February 13, 2023, at the request of his lawyers . The latter question the constitutionality of the procedure.
With our correspondent in Nouakchott, Salem Mejbour Salem
The court responsible for trying former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and nine other personalities decided on February 13, 2023 to suspend the trial for 15 days.
The court acceded to the request of the defense of the former head of state which calls into question the constitutionality of the procedure. The latter is prosecuted for corruption, influence peddling and illicit enrichment.
His lawyers have 15 days to seize the Constitutional Council
The lawyers of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, particularly point to several articles of law on the fight against corruption adopted in 2016.
Maître Ciré Clédor Ly explains: “ In the law that fights corruption, there is an article that promises to reward the authorities who investigate, as well as the authorities who prosecute and the authorities who judge. And the reward is taken from the products, or from the goods that are confiscated. »
The civil parties to the Mauritanian State in this case have another reading of the events that led the criminal court of Nouakchott to suspend the trial.
Master Lo Gourmo, member of the collective, answers: “ The new exception raised by the defendant’s defense is clearly part of the strategy aimed at postponing as much as possible the inevitable moment when their client will be held publicly accountable for his behavior in relation to the serious offenses for which he is continued today. »
► To read also: Opening of the trial of former Mauritanian President Mohamed ould Abdel Aziz
The lawyers of the former Mauritanian president have a period of 15 days to seize the Constitutional Council which must rule on the procedure in progress. This first trial for corruption of a former head of state began on January 25.