afrol News, 15 May - French authorities have turned down the assylum request of the ousted President of the Comoros island of Anjouan.

Colonel Mohamed Bacar was forced out of power by a joint military operation carried out by the Comorian and African Union troops last month after he had fallen apart with the federal government over the legality of his re-election in June last year.

Bacar had fled with 22 members of his personal body guard to the French island of Mayotte before being moved to Reunion.

The former leader, who was informed of the denial on Wednesday, was assured that he would not be extradited to the Comoros to face persecution.

His lawyers faulted French authorities for the denial, and expressed readiness to file an appeal.

Following an extradition request by the Comoran government, French authorities took Mr Bacar into military custody.

Only two of his body guards were granted assylum by the French authorities. Like the former Anjouan President, none of the guards would be sent to the Comoros.

Colonel Bacar and his son will return to the dock on 5 June when a Paris appeal court will rule on their charges of illegal entry into French territory and possession of weapons.

Anjouan is billed to hold Presidential election on 15 June this year, but Mr Bacar is excluded from the race.

The Comoros archipelago has had 19 coups since it attained independence from France in 1975.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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