Former Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz who is 63, seized power in 2008 and served two terms as president.
He was succeeded by his right-hand man and defense minister in August 2019.
He is suspected of “maladministration and embezzlement of public assets.”
Among the issues probed by the commission, according to sources in parliament, where the handling of oil revenue, the sale of state property in Nouakchott, the winding up of a publicly owned food supply company, and the activities of a Chinese fishing company called Pully Hong Dong.
After he failed to answer a call to testify before the commission of inquiry in July, MPs approved a law to empower a High Court of Justice to try presidents and ministers in cases of “high treason”.
The former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has defended his innocence over suspected embezzlement.
Aziz was released by police early on Monday after being questioned for a week.
He handed over power in August last year, then took his case to the media late Thursday, three days after being released from questioning.
He has called the procedure illegal and said it is aimed at damaging his image as a former president. “I didn’t reply to any questions, because the procedure is illegal.”
“No charges have been filed against him although his passport was taken away and he is forbidden to leave the capital Nouakchott, ” his lawyer declared.
“No charges are brought against me. I spent seven days in arbitrary and unjust detention while I voluntarily came in my car to the safety of the State,” Aziz said.
Aziz lashed out at unnamed enemies, saying he had been targeted for “a settling of old scores” after undergoing a week-long interrogation over suspected corruption. “I am a victim of the settling of old scores, but I am going to defend myself.”
“I spent seven days in unjust, arbitrary detention, even though I voluntarily drove to state security, ” he expressed with pain.
He added that he still believes in the justice system. “faith in the justice system.”
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