Niger’s Ousted President Held in Secret Location, Lawyers Say

Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum is being held in a secret location by the junta that seized power in the West African state, lawyers representing him said on Friday, denying accusations that the president had tried to escape.

Bazoum has been in detention since a July 26 coup, and there have been international calls for him to be released.

The junta said late on Thursday that Bazoum and his family, with the help of accomplices in the security forces, had planned to drive a vehicle to the outskirts of the capital Niamey and catch a helicopter ride to neighbouring Nigeria.