Mauritania: 23 jailed protesters including anti-slavery activists charged

Twenty-three people, including anti-slavery activists have been charged and jailed on Tuesday in Mauritania for being aggressive against the police, a Mauritanian judicial source told AFP.

They were arrested on June 29 during a riot sparked by the forced eviction of inhabitants of a slum in Nouakchott by the authorities.

A dozen police officers were wounded by the angry protesters, according to the authorities.

They were also charged with incitement of violence and belonging to an unauthorized organization. The trial must take place within a month.

“The prosecutor heard the case on Tuesday morning and the 23 activists were charged for assault against the police,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

“They were also charged with incitement of violence and belonging to an unauthorized organization. The trial must take place within a month,” the source added.

Among the 23 people are members of the Anti-slavery NGO, IRA (Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist movement) which has been banned by the authorities.

On Monday, police had dispersed activists from the IRA with batons and tear gas in Nouakchott who were protesting the arrest of their members. According to the NGO, seven new arrests were made.

The Mauritanian authorities evicted residents of a slum for private development and were asked to move to plots of land offered by the state.