afrol News, 28 March - Despite angry anti-French protests in the Comoros capital Maroni demanding the hand over of the ousted Anjouan leader, French authorities are yet to hand over Colonel Mohamed Bacar for prosecution in the Comoros.

Mr Bacar, who had illegally fled to the French Island of Mayotte, was arrested and disarmed. He was flown by a military to Reunion where he could face prosecution.

Anjouan leader was forced to flee after his government had been forced out of power by Comoran and African Union troops. His administration was accused of gross violations of rights.

Comoran Defence Minister Mohamed Bacar Dossar, who had asked France to hand over Bacar, said the Comoran government would everything possible to that the deposed leader and his cohorts face justice in the Comoros.

The French government supported an operation against Mr Bacar, but has not signed any extradition agreement with the Comoros government.

Before the assault, the Comoran government had warned Mr Bacar to end his self-proclaimed presidency.

Colonel Bacar had taken power in a 2001 coup, but was elected President the following year. He had refused to hand over power to an interim President after the expiration of his mandate ahead of the polls.

French officials said they were studying Bacar's request for political asylum. He arrived with 23 soldiers and associates.

Bacar would be exposed to appropriate judicial procedures before being granted asylum, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Pascale Adreani said.

Ahead of the establishment of a transitional government at the weekend, the Comoran Vice President Ikililou Dhoinine, has been steering an interim administration in Anjouan. Fresh elections are expected to take place in May.

Comoran authorities said the operation was completed without any casualties, though there were few pockets of resistance.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories