Moroni, Sep 15 (V7N) – A man arrested in connection with the knife attack on Comoros President Azali Assoumani was found dead in his prison cell on Saturday, according to local prison authorities. The attacker, identified as 24-year-old soldier Ahmed Abdu, was involved in an incident that occurred on Friday during the funeral of a well-known religious leader.

National prosecutor Ali Mohammad Jonaid revealed that Abdu had been isolated in a room after his arrest to calm down. However, his frozen body was discovered lying on the cell floor the following morning. "A doctor has pronounced him dead," Jonaid said during a press conference in Moroni, the capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of his death.

Regarding the condition of 65-year-old President Assoumani, the country’s energy minister, Abubakar Saeed Anli, assured the public that the president was recovering and in good health after receiving stitches for a hand injury. "He is safe, and there are no further health concerns," Anli said at the same press conference, which was attended by nearly all government ministers.

The attack took place during the funeral where mourners were paying their respects to the deceased religious leader. According to witnesses, Abdu rushed towards President Assoumani, injuring him before being subdued by one of the mourners. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing.

President Assoumani, who first came to power in a military coup in 1999, has faced controversy during his leadership. After stepping down in 2006, he returned to power following a disputed election in 2016, and was re-elected in January 2024 amidst accusations of ballot rigging and protests. He also served as the President of the African Union from 2023 to 2024.

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