Lawyer seeks release of Nice defender Souleymane Diawara

Paris: The lawyer acting for Nice defender Souleymane Diawara said on Saturday that he is to make a new bid for the release of the Senegalese international, who was arrested last month for attempted extortion.

The 36-year-old, a former French title winner with Bordeaux and Marseille, has been in custody since April 10, suspected of trying to take the law into his own hands by attempting to recover 49,800 euros ($55,800) from a car dealer who had sold him a stolen Porsche.

Diawara`s lawyer, Eric Dupond-Moretti, described the situation as "unacceptable", saying that his client has no place in prison and is not a flight risk.

"The facts are questionable and have been questioned. And he has been the victim, on at least two occasions, of con merchants," explained Dupond-Moretti.

Police sources say Diawara bought the Porsche Cayenne for 49,800 euros in cash but, discovering it was stolen, he and four others, including his brother Adama, visited the seller`s home in the middle of the night on March 19 to attempt to get the money back.

They are alleged to have threatened the man, whose wife and two children were also present, but no weapons were used and no one was hurt in the altercation.

Souleymane and Adama Diawara have been in custody since April 10, with the appeal court in Aix-en-Provence rejecting a request for their release on April 17.