VOA标准英语2010年-Regional Court to Decide on Detention

President Mamadou Tandja is surrounded by bodyguards¹ as he leaves after casting his vote in a constitutional referendum that would keep him in power, in Niamey, 04 Aug 2009

A West African regional court in Nigeria says it will make a decision next month on the case of ousted² Niger President Mamadou Tandja, who has been detained since a February coup³.

 

A West African regional ECOWAS court said Tuesday it will rule on the legality of detaining ousted Niger president Mamadou Tandja on September 17.  He is being held in Niamey by Niger's ruling military government, which forced him out of office in a February coup.

Former President Tandja's lawyer, Sule Oumaru, says he is being detained illegally. Oumaru says the military leaders have no right to forbid Mr. Tandja to see his family and lawyer.

The case became more complex when the former leader sent out two letters dated July 22 asking the ruling military government for clemency⁴ and stated that he would like the ECOWAS courts to withdraw an earlier request that they take up his case.  He maintains the request was made by his family, not him.

Oumaru said the letters should be ignored, because they did not come directly from the former Niger president.

A lawyer for the ruling military government, Lopy Bakary, says the July 22 letters, which include Mr. Tandja's signature, should be considered an appeal that is irrevocable.

The 72-year-old former president reportedly said in his letter that his poor health would stand in the way of a trial.

Mr. Tandja was ousted in February by the army several months after he amended⁵ the constitution to extend his term in office.

 

1 bodyguards   

n.保镖，卫士，警卫员( bodyguard的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks came to Jim's office accompanied—like always—by his two bodyguards. 和往常一样，在两名保镖的陪同下，布鲁克斯去吉姆的办公室。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Three of his bodyguards were injured in the attack. 在这次袭击事件中，他有3名保镖受了伤。 来自辞典例句

2 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

3 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

4 clemency   

n.温和，仁慈，宽厚

参考例句：

• The question of clemency would rest with the King.宽大处理问题，将由国王决定。
• They addressed to the governor a plea for clemency.他们向州长提交了宽刑的申辨书。

5 Amended   

adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He asked to see the amended version. 他要求看修订本。
• He amended his speech by making some additions and deletions. 他对讲稿作了些增删修改。