Son of ex-Mauritanian President under investigation on alleged money laundering charges

Mauritania’s anti-corruption police department has interrogated Bedr Ould Mohamed Abdel Aziz, son of former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, on alleged money laundering charges.

Bedr and the “Rahma de Bienfaisance” foundation he leads are suspected of money laundering and use of public funds for the organization’s private activities.

The security forces also seized several properties including trucks belonging to the foundation.

Bedr is the latest figure to be investigated as part of a probe into the management of the country over the past 10 years when his father led the Saharan country.

In August the public prosecution tasked the anti-corruption police to investigate Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, suspected by all Mauritanians of corruption and wrongdoing during his rule.

A several-month preliminary investigation led by a parliamentary committee revealed that more than $1 billion disappeared from the country coffers through illegal contracts and ended up in the pockets of several state officials and people connected to the former top army commander.

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz himself was interrogated in the premises of the national security directorate August 7 through 24. He reportedly refused to answer questions on the basis of article 93 of the constitutions which grants a sitting president immunity.

Following the interrogation, he has been banned from leaving the country and his passport was seized.