Equatorial Guinea has demanded the lifting of “unilateral and illegal” sanctions imposed for corruption by the United Kingdom against the son of the president of this Central African country.
Teodorin Obiang Mangue, vice-president of Equatorial Guinea and son of the president, was sanctioned by London for the “misappropriation of public funds” and bribes that enabled him to finance a lavish lifestyle.
He allegedly spent more than $500 million on luxury homes around the world, a private jet, cars, and collectibles related to the singer Michael Jackson.
The sanctions, which include an asset freeze and bans on entry to the UK, were taken as part of an anti-corruption sanctions regime that had already punished 22 individuals from six different countries, including Russia, in April.
Equatorial Guinea has been ruled for more than 41 years by 79-year-old Teodoro Obiang Nguema, and Teodorin, who has been omnipresent on the public scene for more than a year, is being presented more and more openly as his “successor”.
