Four were sentenced to life imprisonment over Mauritania coupe

Following two days of deliberations, the criminal court in Nouakchott on Thursday gave final sentences on 100 civilian and military men accused of being involved in two failed coupe attempts against the government of President Mu'aweya Wedl Seidi Ahmad al-Taye'.

The court sentenced life imprisonment with hard labor against four of the accused men. They are Lt. Saleh Weld Hanana, the leader of the "Knights of the change" ( Fursan al-Taghier) military organization; Maj. Abdul Rahman Weld Mini and the two army Lt. Muhammad Weld Sheikhna and Muhammad Weld al-Salik in absentia.

The civilian Sayed Muhammad Weld Ahreimo was sentenced to ten year imprisonment. He is accused by the Mauritanian authorities that he is the leader of the civilian wing of the "Knights of the change." The imprisonment sentences ranged between one and a half year to 15 years imprisonment.

The court also sentenced the release of 100 persons including political leaders like former president Muhammad Khouna Weld Hedala, the chairman of the coalition party of the democratic forces Ahmad Weld Dadah, and the chairman of the democratic meeting unlicensed party Sheikh Weld Herma Weld Babana.

Most observers viewed these sentences as moderate. It was welcomed inside many political circles and tribal sides in Mauritania especially in the country's eastern areas where most of the detainees had come, especially as the sentences had no death penalties.