Lawyers call for former president to be freed three years after coup

News Lawyers call for former president to be freed three years after coup Niger's President Elect Mohamed Bazoum at a G7 meeting in Paris, France, 4 April 2019.   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved By Rédaction Africanews with AFP Last updated: 25/07 - 11:02 Niger Lawyers for Niger's deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, have called for his immediate release three years after he was toppled and detained by the military. Elected in 2021, the 66-year-old has been held along with his wife, Hadiza, in a wing of the presidential palace in Niamey since the July 2023 coup. The international collective of lawyers says Bazoum is being arbitrarily detained. "They have never been brought before a magistrate and have not been informed of the existence of any proceedings against them," said West African lawyers and US human rights attorney Reed Brody. They say the couple has never been brought before a magistrate and have not been informed of the existence of any proceedings against them. Months after the coup, the military leaders led by General Abdourahamane Tiani said it intended putting Bazoum on trial. It accused him of treason and of "plotting against the security and authority of the state" but to date, no case has been publicly opened. In addition, the lawyers say Bazoum and his wife have been allowed almost no contact with the outside world, with no visits from family in the past three years. The European Union, United Nations experts, and several international leaders have also called for his release. Bazoum has refused to resign though his term in office formally ended in April this year. Niger’s new leaders have presided over a crackdown on opponents, jailing journalists, activists and civil society figures. You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 21 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 33 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 55 minutes ago From the same country 01:43 Dozens of soldiers arrested in Niger after attempted mutiny 30/08 - 09:42 01:17 Niger's military 'gradually regaining control' after mutiny at military base 29/08 - 15:48 01:08 Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger submit joint bid for 2032 Afcon 23/07 - 13:14 View more Share More About Mohamed Bazoum General Abdourahamane Tchiani Coup Coup in Niger lawyer Opposition You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 21 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 33 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 55 minutes ago From the same country 01:43 Dozens of soldiers arrested in Niger after attempted mutiny 30/08 - 09:42 01:17 Niger's military 'gradually regaining control' after mutiny at military base 29/08 - 15:48 01:08 Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger submit joint bid for 2032 Afcon 23/07 - 13:14 On the same subject NEWS 01:02 Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago NEWS 01:25 Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago NEWS 01:12 Guinea-Bissau votes in referendum to expand presidential powers 23 hours ago NEWS 01:02 Guinea: France joins calls for transparent investigation into mass grave 28/08 - 21:28 NEWS 01:05 Opposition urges African Union to intervene in Zambia's disputed election 27/08 - 17:13 NEWS 01:06 Uganda President’s son Muhoozi announces 2031 presidential bid 26/08 - 22:44 More stories 01:25 General Abdourahamane Tchiani Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago 01:02 Coup Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago 00:56 United Kingdom Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours ago