Former Niger premier arrested on corruption charges
2008-10-17 17:57:48

وكالة الأنباء السعودية - واس

Nairobi/Niamey, June 27 , SPA -- Police in Niger have arrested Hama Amadou, a
former prime minister of the West African nation, on corruption
charges, reports said Thursday, according to dpa.
Niger's parliament earlier in the week lifted Amadou's
parliamentary immunity so that he could be brought to trial.
Amadou is expected to appear in the High Court charged with
embezzling over 200 million dollars.
The former premier, who was in power for seven years, denies any
wrongdoing and says the charges are part of a smear campaign to stop
him standing for president in 2009.
The BBC said that police used tear gas to disperse around 100 of
Amadou's supporters who had gathered to protest the arrest.
Amadou resigned as prime minister last year following a no-
confidence vote over allegations he embezzled 9 million dollars of
European Union funds.
However, he remains in charge of the governing party.
--SPA

المصدر http://www.spa.gov.sa/details.php?id=568990