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Former Mauritania President Sentenced to Prison for Corruption
In a landmark ruling, a Mauritanian court Tuesday sentenced former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to five years in prison for corruption, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing anti-graft efforts.
Aziz, who ruled Mauritania from 2009 to 2019, was found guilty of money laundering and abusing his position to amass wealth illegally, charges he has vehemently denied. The court also ordered the confiscation of his ill-gotten assets.
The trial, which commenced in January 2023, captivated the nation as Aziz, once a revered leader, faced scrutiny over his financial dealings. Alongside Aziz, ten other prominent figures, including former prime ministers and ministers, were charged with various corruption-related offenses. While some of the co-accused received lighter sentences, the former prime ministers and two ex-ministers were acquitted.
Aziz’s conviction is particularly noteworthy given his stature and connections. His lawyers, maintaining his innocence, have labeled the trial politically motivated, citing tensions between Aziz and his successor, President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
The verdict sparked mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a victory for justice and others viewing it as a political witch hunt. Aziz’s supporters maintain his innocence and his lawyers said they would appeal the verdict.
Switzerland Returns Ancient Libyan Artifact
In a symbolic gesture, the Swiss government has returned a 2,000-year-old marble sculpture of a young woman’s head to its rightful home in Libya. The 19-centimeter-tall artifact, believed to be of Hellenistic origin, was formally handed over to the Libyan embassy in Bern on December 5, 2023.
This valuable piece of history was discovered in a Geneva customs warehouse in 2013 and confiscated by Swiss authorities in 2016. Investigations revealed that it likely originated from the ancient city of Cyrene, a major center of Greek culture in North Africa.
“It is tangible evidence of Greek expansion in North Africa,” said Switzerland’s Federal Office of Cultural Affairs in a statement.
The office also expressed concerns about the widespread looting and destruction of cultural artifacts in Libya, echoing previous warnings by the UN and other international organizations.
This return marks a significant step in the fight against the illegal trade of cultural property.
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