Playboy vice-president’s embezzlement trial delayed

A FRENCH court agreed yesterday to adjourn the trial of the playboy son of Equatorial Guinea’s leader, giving him six more months to prepare his defence against charges he embezzled more than ß100-million (R1.4-billion).

Teodorin Obiang, his country’s vice-president, is suspected of plundering his oil and timber-rich country to buy a mansion on one of Paris’ most exclusive avenues as well as a collection of supercars.

When the trial opened on Monday, lawyers for the 47-year-old son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema argued that they had had too little time to call witnesses and prepare their defence.

Judges agreed and said the trial would now resume on June 19.

The case is the first arising from an unprecedented investigation into the French assets of three African leaders accused of leading a life of luxury while their citizens live in poverty.

Obiang had attempted to prevent the case coming to court and claims he is innocent.

He says the money came from legitimate sources, not bribes or embezzlement as prosecutors allege.

The prosecution and anti-corruption group Transparency International, one of the plaintiffs in the case, called the defence’s request for an adjournment a delaying tactic.

Assets belonging to Teodorin Obiang have been seized in several countries.

His house on Paris’s exclusive Avenue Foch, which boasts a cinema, spa, hair salon and taps covered in gold leaf, is estimated to be worth about ß107-million (R1.5-billion).

When French judicial officials first launched raids in Paris in 2011, they hauled away Bugattis, Ferraris, RollsRoyces and other cars.

The case sets a precedent for France, which has long turned a blind eye to African dictators pouring their ill-gotten gains into Parisian real estate and luxury products.

It came about after nearly a decade of lobbying by Transparency International and another group, Sherpa. – AFP