Africa News of Friday, 26 July 2024
Source: BBC
Death penalty fears for Niger ex-president - lawyer
Mohamed Bazoum, pictured here seven months before the coup, was stripped of his immunity in June
The lawyer for Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has told the BBC as the country marks a year since the coup that he fears the former head of state could face the death penalty.
Last month Niger's top court stripped Mr Bazoum of his immunity from prosecution, paving the way for him to be tried for treason - which is punishable by death - and other alleged offences.
Mr Bazoum, 64, and his wife Hadiza have been held in detention for the last year with no telephone access and no visits allowed apart from a doctor, lawyer Moussa Coulibaly said.
Earlier this week, France demanded their release but junta leader Gen Abdourahamane Tiani has given a defiant TV address, saying no state or foreign organisation can tell Niger how to behave.
