A court in Mauritania has jailed former President Mohamed Abdel Aziz for five years for corruption.
The court found Aziz guilty of money laundering and abusing his position to illegally enrich himself, but acquitted him on other charges while ordering the confiscation of his illegally acquired assets.
The 66-year-old was elected president in 2009 after toppling President Sidi Abdallahi in a coup, and went on to lead Mauritania until 2019.
He had been on trial since January, alongside ten other prominent figures, including two former prime ministers and former ministers who served in his administration.
They had been charged with several offences, including abuse of power, money laundering, illicit enrichment and influence peddling.
He is also alleged to have amassed immense wealth during his decade-long rule.
“The trial we attended was a political trial, and its verdict is also very political,” one of Aziz’s lawyers, Mohameden Ould Icheddou, was quoted as saying by AFP.
His lawyers have also said that they plan to appeal against the verdict.
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