COMOROS President Azali Assoumani is “out of danger” following a knife attack by a policeman, according to Reuters.
The 24-year-old policeman who carried out the attack was arrested and later found dead in his cell.
The incident occurred in Salimani Itsandra, a town near the capital Moroni, as the president was attending a funeral, Reuters cites officials as saying.
Energy Minister Aboubacar Saïd Anli told reporters: “The president is doing well. He has no health problems, he is out of danger. A few stitches were given,” according to the Reuters report.
The attacker, identified as Ahmed Abdou, had taken leave on Wednesday before carrying out the assault. Reuters states that the motive for the attack remains unclear.
Public Prosecutor Ali Mohamed Djounaid informed the press that Abdou was placed in custody following the attack. However, “this Saturday morning, when investigators went to see him, they found him lying on the ground, his body was lifeless,” Reuters quotes Djounaid as saying. An investigation into the attack’s motive and Abdou’s death is underway, the news agency reports.
Reuters notes that Assoumani was sworn in for a fourth term in May after a contentious January election. The opposition claims the vote was marred by fraud, allegations which officials deny, according to the Reuters report.
