Mauritania: Fear for safety

Index Number: AFR 38/008/2000
Date Published: 12 December 2000
Categories: Africa, Mauritania

Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of at least three Mauritanian army officers Lieutenant Colonel Saleh Ould Hananna Lieutenant Mokhtar Ould Telli, Captain Yarbawho have reportedly been arrested and are held incommunicado. Lieutenant Colonel Saleh Ould Hananna, Lieutenant Mokhtar Ould Telli and Captain Yarba were reportedly arrested on 30 November. They have been transferred from army barracks near the capital Nouakchott to an unknown destination. Their arrest followed the discovery of anti-government leaflets at the Nouakchott army barracks. The three officers are thought to have criticised the diplomatic links established between the Mauritanian and the Israeli governments. It appears that the three are suspected of planning a coup.