In Niger, the Niamey Court of Appeal ordered on Monday, July 29, the provisional release of four former ministers of the ousted regime of former President Mohamed Bazoum. Prosecuted for “attacking national security” and “treason,” they are now awaiting an order to release them from prison before being officially released.
In Niger, on Monday evening, four former ministers of the ousted regime of former President Mohamed Bazoum received a court notice ordering their provisional release. They are currently still waiting for an order to lift their imprisonment to definitively regain their freedom.
Arrested the day after the coup of July 26, 2023, they are being prosecuted for “endangering national security” and “crime of treason”.
Former Interior Minister Hama Amadou Souley, former Finance Minister Ahmat Jidoud, former Energy Minister Ibrahim Yacoubou, and former Planning Minister Rabiou Abdou spent more than a year . in preventive detention. According to their counsel, their only crime is to have publicly condemned the military coup led by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP) or to occupy positions of responsibility at the time of the events.
Nothing reprehensible from a criminal point of view for Maître Illo Issoufou, one of the defendants’ lawyers, who denounces a completely empty file when meeting his clients. Reached by telephone, he welcomed the announcement of their provisional release during a hearing at the Niamey Court of Appeal. He declares “to continue to fight so that the other detainees are released”.
Around twenty political prisoners close to the fallen regime still in detention
Nearly twenty political prisoners close to the fallen regime are still in detention. Among them is the emblematic Abba Sani Issoufou, former Minister of Oil and son of former President Mahamadou Issoufou, held in a prison 180 km from the capital, Niamey.
Finally, Mohamed Bazoum is still held in a wing of the Nigerien presidency since the coup d’état a year ago. He refuses to resign from his post as President of the Republic, despite pressure from the military in power. In mid-July, the state court lifted the immunity of the ousted head of state. An investigation for “endangering national security” and “crime of treason” is still in progress and a trial could be held in the weeks or months to come, with all the defendants at the bar.