Gabon’s new military rulers have jailed Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, the wife of President Ali Bongo, who was removed from power in a recent coup. The deposed first lady was imprisoned on Wednesday after being accused of money laundering and forgery late last month, local media reported.
According to Gabonese media, Sylvia Bongo was subjected to a committal order and detained at the central prison in the capital, Libreville, following a lengthy rehearing by an examining magistrate on Wednesday.
The former first lady, who had been under house arrest since the military coup on August 30, was charged with embezzlement of public funds, her lawyer, Francois Zimeray, told French outlet AFP on Thursday.
Zimeray called the decision to imprison her “arbitrary” and “illegal.”
Ali Bongo, who had been in power for 14 years, was placed under house arrest after a group of Gabonese soldiers declared a coup and annulled the
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
