Relatives of ousted Niger president say no news of him since October 18

(Patria) - Relatives of ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum said on Thursday they have had no news of him since October 18, condemning the "malicious arrests and searches" suffered by some of them, AFP reported.

Since being ousted by the military on July 26, Bazoum has been held along with his wife and son in his residence at the heart of the presidential palace. Despite constant calls from numerous countries and organizations for his release, Niger's military regime remains unyielding.

"Since October 18, we have had no news of President Bazoum, his wife Khadija Mabrouk, and their son Salem, who were taken hostage by the presidential guard," family members said in a statement.

"Several members of our family have been subjected to violent arrests and searches by the military authorities," they added.

Family lawyer Ould Salem Said told reporters that "we have noticed a certain fixation on President Bazoum's family." The homes of one of Bazoum's nieces and another relative were searched on Tuesday in the capital Niamey, Said said.

The lawyer said that "unidentified armed elements kidnapped" Bazoum's uncle on Sunday, adding that he had filed a complaint with the public prosecutor's office for "kidnapping, sequestration, and arbitrary detention." Said also said that the brother of Bazoum's wife was "arrested" in the south of the country and "placed in police custody."

The military leaders, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, have ruled Niger since July 26.