The ousted President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, has appealed to the Economic Community of West African States’s court to secure his release.

The military overthrew Bazoum on July 26 and has been held in custody since then. His lawyer, Seydou Diagne, filed a lawsuit with ECOWAS court on September 18, alleging that Bazoum’s arrest and detention were illegal and violated his rights.

The lawsuit requests that the court order the Niger government to immediately restore constitutional order and release Bazoum so that he can continue to serve as president until the end of his term.

“We request in view of the violation of political rights, that the State of Niger be ordered to immediately restore constitutional order by handing over power to President Bazoum, who must continue to exercise it until the end of his mandate,” he said

If the court rules in Bazoum’s favor, Niger will be legally obligated to comply with the decision. However, the military coup leaders have declared their intention to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason and undermining internal and external security.”

The European Union has reiterated its support for ECOWAS’s position and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Bazoum and his family.