Son of ousted Gabon President charged with treason, graft in custody
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Several other allies of ex-President Ali Bongo Ondimba were arrested alongside his son Noureddin on charges of corruption and treason.
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Noureddin Bongo, the son of the ousted Gabonese President (Twitter/Noureddin Bongo)
The Libreville state prosecutor confirmed to AFP on Wednesday that Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the son of ousted Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba, alongside several of his allies, is facing charges of high treason and corruption and has been placed in custody.
Bongo's eldest son Noureddin and former presidential Spokesperson Jessye Ella Ekogha, along with four others close to the ex-leader, "have been charged and placed in provisional detention," said Libreville prosecutor Andre-Patrick Roponat.
This comes amid the coup that occurred in the country on August 30, and, on the same day, one of Bongo's sons, five senior cabinet officials, and his wife Sylvia Bongo Valentin were arrested.
During that time, national TV showed images of the arrestees with suitcases filled with cash allegedly seized from their homes.
Read next: UK Royals' deep ties with Gabon's Bongos go way back
Bongo took office in 2009, succeeding his father Omar, who died after more than 41 years in power.
The Gabon junta named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the transition leader, according to a statement made by soldiers on national television last month.
Gabon is the sixth African country to have undergone a coup in the last three years. Other countries include Mali, Guinea, Sudan Burkina Faso, and most recently Niger.
