Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / AFRICA
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Sunday, 28 December, 2003, 21:00 GMT

Mauritania ex-president sentenced

Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah A former Mauritanian president has been given a five-year suspended prison sentence and a fine for plotting to overthrow the government.

Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah denies organising a coup attempt while standing in elections against incumbent Maaouya Ould Taya.

Haidallah was released after being in custody since 9 November, two days after losing the elections.

He denies the charges, and says that the poll was rigged.

Eight of the 14 others on trial including Haidallah's son Sidi Mohamed were given suspended sentences of between two and five years. The remaining six were acquitted.

Haidallah was president of Mauritania from 1980 to 1984, when he was overthrown by Mr Taya.

President Taya won with 67% of the votes cast during last month's election, against almost 19% for Haidallah.

The government has denied the allegations of electoral fraud.

But foreign observers were not invited to monitor the elections, and the polls were organised by the Interior Ministry.

New York-based Human Rights Watch warned in September of a "climate of harassment of opposition members" following the arrest of several opposition activists and Islamists.

An Islamic state, Mauritania is nevertheless one of the handful of Arab states to recognise Israel and President Taya has pursued an alliance with the United States.


E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Mauritania candidate in the dock (02 Dec 03  |  Africa )
Charges for Mauritania candidate (10 Nov 03  |  Africa )
Mauritania leader wins third term (09 Nov 03  |  Africa )
Mauritania 'still practising' slavery (07 Nov 02  |  Africa )
Mauritania's victims of the race divide (29 Aug 01  |  Africa )
Country profile: Mauritania (24 May 03  |  Country profiles )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Mauritanian Government
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©