Latest update: 07/05/2009 

- corruption - Equatorial Guinea - France - Gabon - international justice


French prosecutors move to block African leader probe
French prosecutors move to block African leader probe
French prosecutors said they would appeal to block an investigation into claims the presidents of Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea plundered state coffers to buy French property.

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AFP - The Paris prosecutor's office has appealed a judge's decision to investigate whether three African presidents plundered state coffers to buy luxury homes in France, a legal source said Thursday.

   
The judge decided Tuesday to launch a formal probe in response to a lawsuit filed by Transparency International France against the presidents of Gabon and Congo -- both former French colonies -- and of Equatorial Guinea.
   
But state prosecutors plan to appeal to try to block the probe, arguing that the independent anti-graft watchdog has no right to lodge a complaint because it is not a direct victim of any wrongdoing, the source said.

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