FRENCH BUSINESSMAN CHARGED, VOTE CLAIM

A FRENCH judge has indicted billionaire businessman Vincent Bollore in connection with rigging elections to win public contracts in Africa.

According to media reports, Bollore, 66, has been charged over allegations that his company helped two African leaders win elections so that it could later scoop contracts.

The Bollore Group is alleged to have used Havas, its communication and marketing subsidiary, to bolster the election campaigns of Guinea’s President Alpha Conde and Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe.

The Guinean government has denied the accusations. – African News Agency (ANA)