Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NIAMEY632
2008-06-27 08:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Niamey
Cable title:  

NIGER: FORMER PRIME MINISTER JAILED

Tags:  PGOV KCOR ASEC CASC NG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4847
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0632 1790856
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270856Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4393
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUZEHAA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS NIAMEY 000632 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCOR ASEC CASC NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: FORMER PRIME MINISTER JAILED

REF: NIAMEY 624 AND PREVIOUS

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000632

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KCOR ASEC CASC NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: FORMER PRIME MINISTER JAILED

REF: NIAMEY 624 AND PREVIOUS


1. Former Prime Minister Hama Amadou was detained the
afternoon of June 26 on charges that he misused funds meant
to support the private press (reftels).


2. Several hundred Amadou supporters gathered outside the
courthouse where he was being held that afternoon. They
tried to block the police from taking him from the
courthouse, prompting the police to use teargas and batons to
disperse the crowd. A private television station aired
footage of event that evening. The GON television station
did not mention the detention or related events. The
Interior Minister reported that nine people were injured in
the fray, although Amadou's supporters claims that the toll
was higher. Police also used tear gas to disperse a crowd
that had gathered outside of Amadou's house.


3. Amadou was transported to the maximum security Koutoukale
prison some 50 kms outside of Niamey on the road to Tillabery
the evening of June 26.


4. There were no disturbances in Niamey the morning of June

27. An unrelated, previously scheduled, demonstration by a
coalition of civil society groups under the umbrella
coalition "Convergence Citoyen" occurred without incident.
ALLEN