afrol News, 27 June - Niger police have arrested a former Prime Minister Mr Huma Amadou yesterday on corruption charges.
Mr Amadou, who has been Niger's MP from 2000 to 2007, is accused of embezzling around US$230,000 during his time in office, a fund intended for media development in the country.
Mr Amadou's arrest followed Niger's parliament voted that government should try him.
Mr. Amadou was widely regarded as a favourite candidate to succeed President Mamadou Tandja but was forced to step down last year after he lost a parliamentary vote of no confidence related to a separate corruption scandal.
He has denied charges, saying he is the victim of a politically motivated campaign to stop him standing for president in 2009.
Mr Amadou, who is second in line and ready to contest 2009 presidential elections, his conviction could prohibit him from contesting next year election, as his former ally President Mamadou Tandja is stepping down after serving maximum two terms in office.
His arrest sparked protest in the country's capital, Niamey, with police having forced to use teargas to stop demonstration of Mr Amadou supporters in front of the country's high court.
Mr Amadou is the third politician Niger's parliament has voted to put on trial in recent years. In 2006 it voted to prosecute two former education ministers in a bigger corruption scandal that led to Mr Amadou losing a parliamentary vote of confidence in May 2007.
Niger is the world's third largest uranium producer but many of its people live in abject poverty.
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