Niger Ex-President Bazoum Faces Treason Charges Amid Military Rule

Niger's highest court has lifted the immunity of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, allowing the military junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason. Bazoum, who was overthrown last year, remains under house arrest. Proceedings have been criticized for irregularities and violations of Bazoum's rights.

Niger's highest court has removed the immunity of the country's deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, almost a year after he was ousted by soldiers in a coup, according to his lawyer, Reed Brody. This move enables the military junta to put Bazoum on trial for alleged high treason.

Since the coup last summer, Bazoum and his family have been confined to house arrest. The junta intends to prosecute him for "high treason" and jeopardizing national security. Earlier this year, legal steps were initiated to strip Bazoum of his immunity via a newly established State Court, now the apex judicial entity in Niger.

Prior to his ousting, Bazoum was a key security ally for the West in the Sahel region. However, the legal proceedings at the State Court have drawn criticism for serious irregularities, including breaches of Bazoum's rights to present evidence, communicate with legal counsel, and have a fair hearing, as reported by Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch also noted that Bazoum's legal team has faced significant communication barriers since last October and has had limited case access. Late last year, ECOWAS's highest court declared Bazoum's and his family's detention as arbitrary, urging his reinstatement to office.

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