Former Mauritania president on trial for corruption

A court in Mauritania has begun hearing the corruption trial of a former president who's accused of amassing a fortune of more than $70m (£56m) during his time in office.

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz appeared in court in Nouakchott with nine other defendants.

His lawyers said he rejected the accusations against him and that his arrest at home on the eve of the trial amounted to kidnapping.

The former leader stepped down in 2019. He has accused his successor Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of turning the legal system against him.

This article originally appeared on BBC Africa.

Image via BBC.