In Chad, the trial of the six leaders arrested after the march against French policy on May 14 opens this Monday in Moussoro, 300 km north of the capital. A relocated hearing for security reasons but which will be boycotted by the defendants’ lawyers.
With our correspondent in Ndjamena, Madjiasra Nako
The prosecution of the Ndjamena court of first instance deemed it necessary to relocate the trial of the six activists to Moussoro, 300 km north of the capital for security reasons. The trial team arrived in Moussoro on Sunday afternoon.
As soon as the relocation of the hearing was announced, the bar association council, two of whose members are among the prisoners, denounced an illegal procedure and warned that no lawyer would be present at the trial.
It is therefore defenseless that the six opinion leaders will appear on Monday.
According to good sources, in an attempt to delegitimize the procedure, the defendants do not intend to answer any questions from the judges. Meanwhile, the Union of Trade Unions of Chad and many civil society associations that are lobbying the government have promised to harden their stance if the activists are not released outright.