Prosecutors demand 20-year jail term for ex-Mauritanian president

Mauritanian prosecutors have demanded an appeals court impose a 20-year jail sentence on former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz for abuse of office and embezzlement, greatly increasing the five-year sentence he is currently appealing, reported News Central on February 25th.

Aziz, who ruled Mauritania between 2008 to 2019, was convicted of using his position to unlawfully amass wealth and sentenced to five years in jail back in 2023.

The court was told by lead prosecutor Sidi Mohamed Ould Di Ould Moulay that Aziz had turned the presidency into an institution for blackmailing investors.

The prosecution also called for the dissolution of the Rahma charity that Aziz’s son founded, alleging that it was created for illicit uses.

Aziz is appearing in court alongside a number of former top officials and advisers accused of illicit enrichment, money laundering, and influence peddling. The former president has denied all charges.

Investigators estimate that Aziz accumulated around $70 million in assets during his time as president.

Aziz rose to power in a coup back in 2008 but was barred from contesting the 2019 presidential election, which was won by his former ally Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.

Since he left office he has faced a number of legal issues, although Ghazouani has repeatedly denied any involvement in the prosecution of his former ally.

News Central