Mauritania to release graft-accused former president on health grounds: ministry

Mauritania's judiciary said on Friday it would release corruption-accused former president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on licence after he underwent a cardiac operation during several months under investigation.

Abdel Aziz, 65, was admitted to hospital at the end of December for urgent care, according to his lawyers.

At the start of the year he underwent a successful cardiac operation, according to his hospital.

The prosecutor's office subsequently asked that he be released and the judges in charge of the investigation agreed he would be placed under judicial and medical supervision at his home, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that Abdel Aziz, who ruled Mauritania from 2008 to 2019, had experienced good conditions in detention as well as a "quick and efficient" response from authorities following the onset of illness.

Abdel Aziz was replaced as head of state by former general Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

He was charged in March with a raft of graft allegations including money laundering and illicit enrichment, then detained in June.

Abdel Aziz had refused to appear before the judge investigating the accusations, claiming he was the victim of "score settling".