Togo extradites former Ivorian defence minister Kouassi Lida

Lomé, Togo (PANA) – Togo has extradited Kouassi Moise Lida, former Ivorian defence minister under ousted president Laurent Gbagbo, for engagement in several subversive activities against his country.

The Togolese police handed over Lida to an Ivorian Interpol delegation under a cooperation deal between the two countries following an international warrant for his arrest, according to a comunique made available to PANA on Thursday in Lomé.

The communiqué signed by Colonel Matéindou Mompion says that a search carried out in Lida’s residence "led to the seizure of several documents revealing subversive activities to destabilize the established regime in Cote d'Ivoire".

In addition, he is indicted for "organized armed robbery, embezzlement of public funds, pillaging and complicity perpetrated during the crisis following the November 2010 presidential election held in the country".

Cote d'Ivoire fought a bloody civil war following a disputed presidential runoff election between Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara that ended only after Gbagbo was captured with the help of French forces.
-0- PANA FAA/TBM/MSA/MA 7June2012