NOUAKCHOTT, May 15 (Xinhua) -- An appeals court on Tuesday sentenced former Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz to 15 years in prison on charges of corruption, abuse of power, and money laundering.

Aziz, who led Mauritania from Aug. 5, 2009, to Aug. 1, 2019, had initially been sentenced to five years in prison in the first instance.

His lawyer, Mohameden Ould Ichidou, said his client intends to file an appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the verdict was "tainted by abuse of power."

On the other hand, Ibrahim Ould Ebety, lawyer for the civil party representing the state, praised "a rigorous procedure," saying that the evidence presented in court was "based on material facts." ■