Former leader could face death penalty under country’s criminal code
Niger’s new ruling junta has said it will prosecute Mohamed Bazoum, the deposed president, for high treason over his talks with foreign leaders.
Mr Bazoum has been in detention with the rest of his family since he was ousted by his own presidential guards late last month.
The former key Western ally in the region could face the death penalty under Niger’s criminal code.
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, a spokesman for the military mutineers, said in a statement read out on state television that the military authorities had “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the ousted president…for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger”.