President Biya denies embezzlement accusations

The Paris public prosecutor's office has opened an inquiry into whether the president of Cameroon Paul Biya (pictured) had misappropriated public funds and had purchased assets in France. Biya's office has denied the complaint.

AFP - The president of Cameroon Paul Biya has "no assets in France or elsewhere", his office said Thursday, following a complaint lodged against him in Paris for misappropriation of public funds.

Martin Belinga Eboutou, a top aide, said the presidency had learned through the media of the preliminary inquiry opened by the Paris public prosecutor's office last week.

A judicial source in Paris revealed details of the inquiry to AFP on Wednesday. The complaint was lodged on November 2.

Having "no assets in France or elsewhere" President Biya "does not feel at all concerned by these denunciations," Eboutou added.

Date created : 2010-11-25