Sylvia Bongo\u2019s Relatives Arrested In Gabon\u2019s Anti-Drug Operation \u2022 Channels Television
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Three relatives of deposed first lady of Gabon Sylvia Bongo have been arrested in an anti-drug operation in the country, the public prosecutor\u2019s office said.<\/strong><\/p>\n The arrests on Tuesday came days after she and her husband, Gabon\u2019s former leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, testified in a French court against the perpetrators of the 2023 coup that ousted him from power.<\/p>\n Ali Bongo, whose family ruled the central African nation for 55 years, had been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since being overthrown in August 2023.<\/p>\n His wife Syliva and son Noureddin, who were accused of embezzling public funds, had also been in detention for months, during which they allege they were tortured. The family were released to Angola in May.<\/p>\n READ ALSO<\/strong>: Investments Rise In Data, AI, Outpacing Physical Assets \u2014 UN<\/p>\n Gabonese authorities arrested Sylvia Bongo\u2019s brother-in-law, her nephew and the nephew\u2019s partner on Tuesday as part of a \u201ctargeted intervention\u201d at their home, public prosecutor Bruno Obiang Mve told a state broadcaster.<\/p>\n During a search, agents discovered \u201ca significant quantity of drugs\u201d, \u201cillegally held firearms\u201d, ammunition and \u201civory tusks\u201d, the prosecutor said.<\/p>\n Sylvia Bongo wrote on X on Tuesday that she was \u201chorrified to learn of the abduction\u201d of her brother-in-law and nephew \u201cfrom their home in Libreville\u201d by government agents.<\/p>\n She later said her nephew\u2019s wife had been \u201ckidnapped\u201d after he was pressured by authorities to call her and \u201cask her to meet him at a specific location\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a trap,\u201d Sylvia said.<\/p>\n Last week, in a Paris court, ex-president Ali Bongo, Sylvia and their son Noureddin \u2014 all French nationals \u2014 accused Gabonese authorities of torture and arbitrary detention after ousting Ali Bongo from power.<\/p>\n In court, Sylvia and Noureddin accused the government under Gabon\u2019s new ruler, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, a former junta leader, of pressuring officials to convict them in Gabon.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this blackmail in response to our speaking out? A maneuver to silence us? A bargaining chip?\u201d Sylvia wrote on social media on Tuesday, referring to the arrest of her relatives.<\/p>\n She said images of her nephew were circulating online in which \u201che is seen surrounded by weapons, drugs, ivory\u201d, alleging \u201ca grotesque staging that no one can seriously believe\u201d.<\/p>\n Sylvia and Noureddin are being prosecuted in Gabon for high treason, misappropriation of public funds and corruption.<\/p>\n Her trial in Gabon is scheduled for November 10, according to local media.<\/p>\n AFP<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n