NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Lawyers defending former Mauritania President Mohammed Khouna Ould Hidala threatened to boycott his trial, calling it unjust and unfair.
Ould Hidala and 14 of his followers, including his two sons, Ahmed and Mohammed, are standing trial on charges of seeking to topple the regime of President Moawiya Ould Tayeh by force.
The group of lawyers from Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, Tunisia and France said they won't give credibility to a trial that lacks the basic requirements of legality and justice.
The group objected to the presence of large numbers of security forces inside the courtroom, saying it is intimidating for the defendants and aimed at putting pressure on the judges.
The lawyers also charged they were banned from consulting with the defendants in accordance with the law.
The trial opened on Monday amid bloody clashes between security forces and Ould Hidala's followers who tried to march on the palace of justice to denounce their leaders prosecution on what they characterize as fabricated accusations.
