Disgraced ex-Mauritanian President handed hefty sentence
Former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for abusing his position of power whilst in office, according to AFP.
On December 4, a court in capital Nouakchott handed the former head of state a hefty prison sentence for using the office to obtain ill-gotten fortune.
The court also ordered the seizing of the ex-President’s illegally acquired assets.
The disgraced politician was at the head of Mauritania for 10 years from 2009 to 2019 as current President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, a former political ally, disassociated with him.
Ghazouani became President after Abdel Aziz’s 10-year stint in power in what was the first peaceful transition of power since the country gained its independence from the French in November 1960.
READ: Former Mauritanian president might get 20 year prison term
The political veteran had been on trial since January alongside 10 fellow political figures, including two former prime ministers, accused of the same crime as Abdel Aziz.
Abdel Aziz,66, has been in jail since January 24 and had previously spent time behind bars for a few months back in 2021.
Regarding his client’s case, one of Abdel Aziz ‘s lawyers, Mohameden Ould Icheddou, claimed “The trial we attended was a political trial, and its verdict is also very political”.
In contrast, a state lawyer affirmed that the 66-year old’s sentence was a lenient punishment. Another one of Abdel Aziz’s lawyers noted that they intend to appeal the verdict.
Following the court reading the charges against him, the seemingly unhinged defendant said, “I am the victim of a plot by those I opposed”.
AFP
