More than 120 coup suspects transferred to desert prison

More than 120 detainees suspected of taking part in last year's failed coup against President Maaouiya Ould Taya have been transferred from the main naval base in the capital Nouakchott to a gendarmerie camp in the desert 50 km east, their relatives and defence lawyers said. The relatives staged a demonstration outside the High Court in Nouakchott on Tuesday to protest at the transfer of the prisoners last Sunday. They also complained about the suspension of all visiting rights, a deterioration in the living conditions of the prisoners at their new detention centre and delays in starting their trial. They said the detainees were being held in metal sheds which became unbearably hot by day and had very poor conditions of hygiene. Defence lawyers told IRIN that the transfer of the 120 military and three civilian prisoners to a newly built gendarmerie camp near Ouad Naga on the main road from the capital, could be a sign that the government was preparing to try them there with a minimum of publicity during the official holiday period, which begins on 1 August. All are accused of taking part in a violent coup attempt against Ould Taya on 8 June last year. Rebel troops used tanks to bombard the presidential palace during a two-day battle in Nouakchott, but they were eventually overcome by forces loyal to the president. Ould Taya, a former army colonel, has ruled this Islamic desert state of 2.5 million people with a firm hand since coming to power in a 1984 coup. The president, who has close links the United States, France and Morocco, has survived several attempts to unseat him. He has promised to give those accused of complicity in the latest coup a fair trial, but Justice Ministry officials have declined to say when it will begin. The leader of last year's failed coup attempt, Major Saleh Ould Hanenna, evaded capture and has pledged to launch an armed resistance movement to remove Ould Taya from power. Government officials say that Ould Hanenna and a group of his followers, are believed to be hiding in the desert near Mauritania's eastern border with Mali. However, they have not so far been blamed for any acts of violence or sabotage.