The public prosecutor of West Nouakchott prohibited Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz from leaving the capital on Friday evening during the ongoing investigation. More than 300 persons, including the former head of state and several members of his family, were suspected of corruption and misappropriation of property between 2008 and 2019. The former Mauritanian president denied the allegations.
Lawyers for the former Mauritanian president were surprised by the decision of the public prosecutor in West Nouakchott to prohibit their client from leaving his area of residence during the preliminary investigation by the economic crimes police.
Until now, the former head of state had the opportunity to visit his village, Bin Chaab, 160 km north of the capital. “We are really surprised by this decision which deprives the former president of the Republic of his right to move, his freedom of movement,” said Takioullah Eidda, one of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz’s lawyers. And sometimes he also violates his right to the presumption of innocence. »
The former president is regularly summoned by the investigators and this Sunday, once again, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was silent. A strategy in conformity with the fundamental law, according to Master Takioullah Eidda: “He enjoys presidential immunity under the Constitution. And therefore, he does not have to answer questions from investigators. It is only before the High Court that he must answer them,” said the lawyer.
The preliminary investigation was initiated by the Parliament following a report pinpointing the management of the former president, particularly concerning the file on the transfer of a parcel of land in the port of Nouakchott for the construction of a container terminal.