The immunity of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, ousted in a July 2023 military coup, has been lifted by Niger's top court, the media reported.
"The court orders the lifting of Mohamed Bazoum's immunity," Abdou Dan Galadima, president of the court, was quoted as saying.
The decision paves the way for a potential trial to be held against him. Following the coup, Bazoum and his wife, Hadiza, have been detained at the presidential residence.
He was accused by the Niger authorities of treason, financing terrorism, and conspiring to destabilize the state.
In particular, he is said to have communicated by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an attempt to garner support for armed intervention during the coup.
Niger's president, Mohamed Bazoum, was ousted in a coup in July and detained by his guard, General Abdourahamane Tiani. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) later decided to suspend all cooperation with Niger and threatened military intervention. The ECOWAS sanctions on Niger were partially lifted in early 2024.