Alleged Financial Crimes: Former Gabonese President Bongo’s Wife, Son Placed Under House Arrest

The wife and son of Gabon’s former president, Ali Bongo have been transferred from prison to house arrest,following their arrests for alleged financial crimes.

According to Reuters, Sylvia Bongo, 62, and Nourredin Bongo, 33, who were taken into custody shortly after Ali Bongo was toppled in a military coup more than a year and a half ago have been moved from their basement cells in the presidential palace in Libreville to house arrest where they have been reunited with Ali Bongo .

Alleged Financial Crimes

Sylvia Bongo and Nourredin Bongo who stand accused of crimes including embezzlement and money laundering together with the former president are said to have staged an hunger strike in prison with their supporters alleging torture.

In an interview with Radio France Internationale in March, President Brice Oligui Nguema denied they had been tortured and said their trials would go ahead.

A representative for the family said Sylvia and Nourredin Bongo would not make a public comment.

“This house arrest, which their lawyers have long been calling for, cannot be seen as clemency on the part of a government that has violated all the rights of the defence for more than 20 months,” Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, a former prime minister under Bongo who ran in the election against Nguema said.

“However, it is to be hoped that the trial, if it takes place, will respect all the legal guarantees of impartiality, fairness and transparency,” he concluded.