Gabon's ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba's wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, was charged with "money laundering", the public prosecutor said on Friday (Sep 29), a month after the army overthrew her husband in a coup.

Along with Sylvia Bongo, one of the couple's sons has also been accused of having pulled the strings in the oil-rich country by the coup leader.

Their eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has already been charged with corruption and misappropriation of public funds with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers.&nbsp;

Sylvia Bongo was, on Thursday (Sep 28), charged by an investigating judge and was further ordered to remain under house arrest, Andre Patrick Roponat announced on state TV channels.

Roponat said that she also faces other charges, including concealment and forgery.

Sylvia Bongo has been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since the August 30 coup.

She has been isolated from her husband and her French lawyers filed a complaint in Paris against what they stated "appears to be a hostage-taking".

"No one is above the law but the law must be respected for all," one of her lawyers Francois Zimeray told news agency AFP on Friday (Sep 29).

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"What to think of a justice system which keeps people in solitary confinement for weeks before charging them, without having access to a defence?"

<h2>Bongo's corrupt practices</h2>

Military officers of the Central African nation Gabon announced on August 30 that they had taken power "on behalf of the Gabonese people" and that they were "putting an end to the current regime". The coup occurred just after the results of the country's general elections were announced to pave the way for a third presidential term for Ali Bongo Ondimba, who over the years gained notoriety for his alleged corrupt practices.

"The general elections of August 26, 2023, as well as the truncated results, are cancelled. The borders are closed until further notice. All institutions of the Republic are dissolved," a military officer announced on television.&nbsp;

The military described the August 26 elections as having not met the conditions for a transparent ballot. "In addition, irresponsible, unpredictable governance has led to a steady deterioration in social cohesion, threatening to drive the country into chaos," the military officer reasoned.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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Gabon's ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba's wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, was charged with "money laundering", the public prosecutor said on Friday (Sep 29), a month after the army overthrew her husband in a coup.

Gabon's ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba's wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, was charged with "money laundering", the public prosecutor said on Friday (Sep 29), a month after the army overthrew her husband in a coup. Along with Sylvia Bongo, one of the couple's sons has also been accused of having pulled the strings in the oil-rich country by the coup leader. Their eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has already been charged with corruption and misappropriation of public funds with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers. Sylvia Bongo was, on Thursday (Sep 28), charged by an investigating judge and was further ordered to remain under house arrest, Andre Patrick Roponat announced on state TV channels. Roponat said that she also faces other charges, including concealment and forgery. Sylvia Bongo has been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since the August 30 coup. She has been isolated from her husband and her French lawyers filed a complaint in Paris against what they stated "appears to be a hostage-taking". "No one is above the law but the law must be respected for all," one of her lawyers Francois Zimeray told news agency AFP on Friday (Sep 29). Also read: US: California’s longest-serving Senator Dianne Feinstein dies at 90 "What to think of a justice system which keeps people in solitary confinement for weeks before charging them, without having access to a defence?" Bongo's corrupt practices Military officers of the Central African nation Gabon announced on August 30 that they had taken power "on behalf of the Gabonese people" and that they were "putting an end to the current regime". The coup occurred just after the results of the country's general elections were announced to pave the way for a third presidential term for Ali Bongo Ondimba, who over the years gained notoriety for his alleged corrupt practices. "The general elections of August 26, 2023, as well as the truncated results, are cancelled. The borders are closed until further notice. All institutions of the Republic are dissolved," a military officer announced on television. The military described the August 26 elections as having not met the conditions for a transparent ballot. "In addition, irresponsible, unpredictable governance has led to a steady deterioration in social cohesion, threatening to drive the country into chaos," the military officer reasoned. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Gabon: Ousted president’s wife charged with ‘money laundering’ after corruption action on son

The Sri Lankan government has provided official&nbsp;residence and heavy blanket security to ousted former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned to the country after he had fled in July following unrest&nbsp;triggered by economic crises, according to reports.

Rajapaksa fled on July 13 following massive protests in Colombo, where enraged demonstrators barged into his official residence and office and was residing in Thailand.

The 73-year-old was greeted by his supporters, and ministers after he landed at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport from Bangkok.

Shortly after leaving the airport, Rajapaksa was escorted in a motorcade heavily guarded by armed soldiers and was driven to the posh Colombo residential area of Cinnamon Gardens where a state-maintained bungalow was provided to him, officials said.

According to PTI news agency, Rajapaksa wanted to move into his private residence at Mirihana in Colombo’s eastern suburb of Nugegoda, but he was prevented from going to his private residence due to security considerations.

The former Sri Lankan leader will be residing in a state bungalow close to Wijerama Mawatha area in Colombo, where a heavy security has been arranged, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

A source from the ruling SLPP told EconomyNext website said that Rajapaksa won’t be involved in politics despite many of the “party members urging him to start again”.

Many core party members are also against the former president coming into parliament. They do not want him to become the leader again.

"He has not committed any crimes. So, he has all the rights to return to the country and all privileges as the former president,” the report quoted the source as saying.

Earlier, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who shares cordial relations with Rajapaksa, said that the former president’s return is a sensitive issue and will ensure his security.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Sri Lankan government has provided official residence and heavy blanket security to ousted former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned to the country after he had fled in July following unrest triggered by economic crises, according to reports.

The Sri Lankan government has provided official residence and heavy blanket security to ousted former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who returned to the country after he had fled in July following unrest triggered by economic crises, according to reports. Rajapaksa fled on July 13 following massive protests in Colombo, where enraged demonstrators barged into his official residence and office and was residing in Thailand. The 73-year-old was greeted by his supporters, and ministers after he landed at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport from Bangkok. Shortly after leaving the airport, Rajapaksa was escorted in a motorcade heavily guarded by armed soldiers and was driven to the posh Colombo residential area of Cinnamon Gardens where a state-maintained bungalow was provided to him, officials said. According to PTI news agency, Rajapaksa wanted to move into his private residence at Mirihana in Colombo’s eastern suburb of Nugegoda, but he was prevented from going to his private residence due to security considerations. The former Sri Lankan leader will be residing in a state bungalow close to Wijerama Mawatha area in Colombo, where a heavy security has been arranged, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported. A source from the ruling SLPP told EconomyNext website said that Rajapaksa won’t be involved in politics despite many of the “party members urging him to start again”. Many core party members are also against the former president coming into parliament. They do not want him to become the leader again. "He has not committed any crimes. So, he has all the rights to return to the country and all privileges as the former president,” the report quoted the source as saying. Earlier, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who shares cordial relations with Rajapaksa, said that the former president’s return is a sensitive issue and will ensure his security. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to live in state bungalow with heavy security blanket

Sri Lanka's ousted President, Rajapaksa Gotabaya, is expected to arrive in Thailand's capital Bangkok. The former president has not made any public appearances since leaving the country.

Thailand: 2nd nation where Rajapaksa is likely to take shelter, to land in Bangkok

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