Mauritania tries Weld Hedallah amid citizen protests

The trial of former President of Mauritania Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedallah started in Nouakchott along with other 14 persons on charge of "preparing for toppling the constitutional regime by means of force at the expense of the supreme interests of Mauritania."

News reports in Nouakchott said that the Mauritanian security forces used tear bombs and sticks to disperse demonstrators who were intent on attending the Weld Hedllah trial. Security forces permitted later the families of the accused persons to attend the trial session.

The reports said that scores were injured during the demonstration, adding that 50 Mauritanian lawyers will defend the detainees, in addition to 6 foreign lawyers.

Meantime, foreign lawyers who will defend Weld Hedallah and the other 14 detainees started to arrive in Nouakchott. Lawyer Kontani Muhammado arrived from Bamako's bar association in Mali, two lawyers from Senegal and two from France.

In a statement, the Mauritanian forum for reforms and democracy called for converting the trial to a trial of the ruling regime.

Meanwhile, lawyer Mawloud Hadi Sayed said that some 30 women were detained near the prison where the detainees are held with Hedallah. The lawyer did not give other details.