SAINT DENIS, Reunion, May 15, 2008 (AFP) - France's refugee office has denied asylum to the ousted leader of the Comoros island of Anjouan, Mohamed Bacar, currently in custody on the French island of Reunion, officials said Thursday.

But the OFPRA refugee body, which informed Bacar of its decision Wednesday, ruled the ousted leader could not be sent back to the Comoros because of a real risk of persecution, the prefecture of Reunion said.

Comoran and African Union troops in March ousted Bacar, re-elected last June in a poll declared illegal by federal government and never recognised by the African Union.

Bacar fled to the French island of Mayotte before being transferred to Reunion with 22 members of his personal guard and was taken into French military custody following an extradition request from the Comoran authorities.

Bacar's lawyer had vowed to would appeal a negative ruling by the refugee office.

France last month granted asylum to two of Bacar's guard, denying it to six others. Another 15 of his guard were denied asylum in the latest OFPRA ruling, although none can be sent home due to the risk of persecution.

Separately, a Paris appeal court is to rule on June 5 on charges of illegally entering French territory and of weapons possession brought against Bacar and his men.

The second largest in the three-island Indian Ocean Comoros federation, Anjouan is to hold a new local presidential poll next month.

Since winning independence from France in 1975, the Comoros archipelago has never had prolonged stability, and has faced 19 coups or coup attempts.