The trial of the former Mauritanian president continues in Nouakchott. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz appears before a criminal court for money laundering, corruption and illicit enrichment. Nine other personalities, including two former Prime Ministers, are also tried on the same charges. Opened on January 25, this trial had its first incident on Tuesday February 7.
With our correspondent in Nouakchott, Salem Mejbour Salem
While the legal battle was fierce until then around the jurisdiction of the court, this Tuesday, February 7, a lawyer who defends the Mauritanian state has launched a new accusation against former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, whom he accuses of having tried to illegally assign himself a plot of the police academy in Nouakchott.
” I cited as an example the party he had given to the director general of security to inform him that someone would come and see him to allow him to dispose of part of the police academy. “, explained Mr. Brahim Ebety.
In reaction, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz stood up in the box of the accused to rebel against these remarks which he describes as false, rude and malicious. The lawyers of the former head of state also strongly protested. Me Ciré Clédor Ly talks about an unfortunate and premature exit:
” We could not allow lawyers to make certain comments by violating the rules of procedure, by dealing with the merits of the case when the debates had not yet begun, and attacking the person of the President of the Republic. »
The incident led to a suspension of the hearing for nearly 30 minutes. The proceedings resumed and the president of the court called on the senior lawyers to work for the good conduct of the trial.