Mauritanian Police Arrests Former President Mohamed Abdel Aziz

Police have arrested Mauritania’s former president Mohamed Abdel Aziz on the eve of his trial for abuse of power and amassing an illicit fortune.

Mr Mohamed was first told to report to the police, but refused, defence lawyers said.

The police came to look for him at home in the capital Nouakchott, armed with a warrant. He was arrested without incident, the lawyers said.

Meanwhile, several other figures from his former regime, also facing charges of corruption, money laundering, and illicit enrichment, were also arrested, a security source said.

According to the report, in 2020, a parliamentary investigation was opened into financial dealings under Mohamed’s presidency.

It probed into oil revenues, sales of state assets, the winding up of a public company in charge of food supplies, and the activities of a Chinese fishing company.

Charges were then brought against Abdel Aziz and 11 others, including one of his sons-in-law, two former prime ministers, and several ex-ministers and businessmen.

The former president is suspected of amassing a fortune equivalent to more than $72 million.

He has refused to answer questions about the source of his wealth and decries a political machination.

Mr Mohamed wrote in a note released by lawyers that he will appear in court “to defend his honour” against “extravagant and fallacious accusations.”

He claims immunity from prosecution under the constitution.

AP