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The hearing of a case against Central African Republic’s (CAR’s) immediate former defence minister, Jean-Jacques Demafouth was postponed on Tuesday, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported. The hearing was postponed because of the minister’s health. He was reportedly complaining of ear-aches and high-blood pressure. “His health condition was confirmed by a military doctor and his wife,” RFI said. Demafouth has been in detention since Sunday, 26 August, in connection with his alleged participation in the failed coup attempt which took place on 28 May. One of the minister’s lawyers said that so far there has been no proof of the minister’s involvement in the coup attempt. She said he has been interrogated on the basis of “leaked information”.
“You know how information is leaked in our countries. These are anonymous written statements that tell you to go to such and such a place and you will find such and such a proof,” RFI quoted his lawyer Mireille Doligoti as saying. “None of the statements have been substantiated by facts, so far. He is being questioned on matters relating to his position as a minister, on why he did not appoint people who were involved in previous mutinies,” she explained. “But no fact has been produced to substantiate these presumptions and anonymous written statements,” she added.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions