We will prosecute ex-President Basoum for treason – Niger junta

We will prosecute ex-President Basoum for treason – Niger junta

Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic will be prosecuted for “high treason”, leaders of the military coup that recently toppled Bazoum’s government have said.

Bazoum kept at the president’s official residence since the July 26 coup was accused by the junta of “undermining the internal and external security” of the country.

Spokesman for the junta, Amadou Abdramane, disclosed this in a statement read on national television on Sunday.

“The Nigerien government has to date, gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the deposed president and his local and foreign accomplices before the competent national and international authorities for high treason and undermining internal and external security of Niger,” Abdramane added.

He also said Bazoum was granted access to his doctors the previous day and that he was fine.

“After this visit, the doctor raised no problems regarding the state of health of the deposed president and members of his family,” he said.

On Sunday, the military leader told an Islamic delegation from Nigeria that its doors are now open for dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).