Comoros’ former president Ahmed Sambi has refused to attend the second day of his high treason trial, as lawyers said there were no guarantees he would be judged fairly.
Sambi, who is the main opponent to current president Azali Assoumani, is facing charges related to the alleged sale of Comorian passports.
At a press conference, a lawyer, Jan Fermon, said Sambi, who appeared in frail health at the first hearing in the capital Moroni would no longer attend the proceedings, which are expected to end this week.
The defence team has argued that the president of the security court trying Sambi should recuse himself having previously sat on the panel that decided to indict the former leader.
But their request was denied, with the judge saying he had no knowledge of the merit of the case.
