A Gabonese court on Wednesday sentenced former First Lady Sylvia Bongo, 62, and her son Noureddin Bongo, 33, to 20 years in prison following a two-day graft trial.
Both were tried in absentia and found guilty of embezzlement of public funds and related charges.
Sylvia Bongo, wife of former President Ali Bongo, whose family ruled Gabon for 55 years, was accused of manipulating her husband to divert taxpayers’ money for personal gain. She has denied all charges.
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Her son Noureddin condemned the trial as a “legal farce” in an interview with AFP last week. “We are not opposed to the idea of being held accountable for so-called acts we may have committed,” Noureddin said.
“But only if it is before an independent and genuine court of law, not one that is clearly under the orders of the executive branch in Gabon.”
Former President Bongo, who was toppled in a coup on August 30, 2023, is not facing prosecution. Bongo ruled for 14 years, having succeeded his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who governed the country for nearly 42 years until he died in 2009.
His overthrow came shortly after he was declared the winner of a presidential election widely denounced as fraudulent by the army and opposition.
Sylvia and Noureddin, who both hold French citizenship, were accused of exploiting the former president, who suffered a severe stroke in 2018, to run Gabon for their own benefit effectively.
Arrested after the coup, they were detained for 20 months before being released in May and allowed to leave for London on medical grounds. Both allege they suffered torture during detention.
“We know full well that if we go back, we will suffer things far worse than we have already suffered,” Noureddin told AFP ahead of the trial.
Ten former allies of the Bongos are also on trial, charged with complicity in embezzlement. Prosecutor Eddy Minang said statements from the co-accused and witnesses revealed a systematic diversion of public funds for private gain. Proceedings are expected to continue until Friday.
The Bongos filed a lawsuit in France last May alleging they were “repeatedly and violently tortured” by allies of General Brice Oligui Nguema, who assumed power after the coup. The family also claims the new authorities have influenced the courts to ensure their conviction.
Oligui, officially sworn in as president in April after relinquishing his military uniform, has denied allegations of torture and promised that both Sylvia and Noureddin would receive a fair trial.
“We are not opposed to being held accountable but only if it is before an independent and genuine court of law,” Noureddin insisted.