The judiciary ordered the release of Abdourahamane Ben Hamaye, a journalist who previously worked within the presidency under Mohamed Bazoum, and Mohamed Mbarek, a cousin of the former president’s wife.
Both men had been arrested in Niger last autumn during the alleged escape attempt of former Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. They were charged with conspiracy against the state and remained in custody for nearly six months after their arrest.
This situation was brought to an end by the interim judge on Tuesday, April 2nd, ordering their release, with a penalty of one million CFA francs per day for any delay.
“Our clients were respectively arrested on October 19th and November 7th last year, and to this day, they have not been brought before a judge. However, the law clearly states that their custody, as they are currently held, should not exceed a maximum period of one month,” stated their lawyer, Maître Ibrahim Djibo, in an interview with Pierre Firtion.
“They are accused of very serious offenses, including plotting against the authority of the state. Yet, to this day, they have not been brought before a judge; they remain in the custody of the gendarmerie, or rather, under the control of the CNSP [National Committee for Salvation of the People], as the gendarmerie responds to the CNSP’s directives. If the judge today orders their release, it is only fair; he has merely upheld the law, and we are very pleased with this judge, who has dared to remind the authorities in place to respect the law by ordering the release of the accused,” he added.