PORTO-NOVO, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Benin opposition leader went on trial on terrorism charges on Friday, nine months after she was arrested just before President Patrice Talon’s re-election in April.
Reckya Madougou, one of the opposition leaders banned from running in the election, was arrested in March accused of trying to disrupt the ballot and destablise the country.
Her trial opened just days after the same court sentenced another opposition figure Joel Aivo to 10 years in prison.
Madougou faces a 20-year sentence if found guilty of financing terrorism and acts of terrorism among other charges.
Madougou arrived in a prison van to the Porto-Novo court where some of her supporters waited for her, some wearing white T-shirts with her image and the words: “Free Reckya Madougou”.
“The dossier is completely empty… because it is exclusively a political accusation,” one of his lawyers, Antoine Vey, said.
“If the trial were fair, there is no doubt she would be released and fully acquitted,” he said. “We are fearful of a heavy sentence.”
Less than a week before the April election, a judge from the special court fled Benin denouncing political pressure to make rulings, in particular in the case of Madougou’s arrest.
Government officials dismiss claims of political interference and say Benin’s judiciary is independent.
Aivo, a professor who had been held for eight months, was found guilty on Tuesday of plotting against the state and money laundering.
Aivo, who was also barred from running in the election, was arrested on April 15, four days after the ballot that saw Talon returned to power. — NNN-AGENCIES
