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

NewsLawyers call for former president to be freed three years after coupNiger's President Elect Mohamed Bazoum at a G7 meeting in Paris, France, 4 April 2019.   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reservedBy Rédaction Africanews with AFPLast updated: 25/07 - 11:02NigerLawyers 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 likeHaiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 21 minutes ago01:14Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 33 minutes ago01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 55 minutes agoFrom the same country01:43Dozens of soldiers arrested in Niger after attempted mutiny 30/08 - 09:4201:17Niger's military 'gradually regaining control' after mutiny at military base 29/08 - 15:4801:08Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger submit joint bid for 2032 Afcon 23/07 - 13:14View moreShareMore About Mohamed Bazoum General Abdourahamane Tchiani Coup Coup in Niger lawyer OppositionYou may also likeHaiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 21 minutes ago01:14Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 33 minutes ago01:10Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 55 minutes agoFrom the same country01:43Dozens of soldiers arrested in Niger after attempted mutiny 30/08 - 09:4201:17Niger's military 'gradually regaining control' after mutiny at military base 29/08 - 15:4801:08Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger submit joint bid for 2032 Afcon 23/07 - 13:14On the same subjectNEWS01:02Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours agoNEWS01:25Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours agoNEWS01:12Guinea-Bissau votes in referendum to expand presidential powers 23 hours agoNEWS01:02Guinea: France joins calls for transparent investigation into mass grave 28/08 - 21:28NEWS01:05Opposition urges African Union to intervene in Zambia's disputed election 27/08 - 17:13NEWS01:06Uganda President’s son Muhoozi announces 2031 presidential bid 26/08 - 22:44More stories01:25General Abdourahamane TchianiCalm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago01:02CoupVote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago00:56United KingdomNotting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours agoRead the full article at Africanews