Katumbi jailed 36 months in absentia, fined $6m

Moise Katumbi has been sentences to 36 months in prison in absentia. The Congolese leading opposition leader currently in London seeking medical care was found guilty in a recent case of property appropriation.

He was also given a $6m (£4.1m) fine.

The case was brought against Katumbi by a Greek national who accussed the TP Mazembe bankroller of using his position as governor of Katanga province to take over land belonging to him.

Katumbi’s lawyers have however denied the charges, saying that Katumbi was in exile abroad during that time, in 1998. They said that the documents produced were fabricated and had forged signatures to discredit their client.

They added that the building belonged to Katumbi’s elder brother.

There is a substantive case of hiring mercenaries that is hanging around Katumbi, he has repeatedly denied the charges.

His health deteriorated after he had inhaled tear gas fumes after police tried to disperse a crowd that had accompanied him during his third appearance before the prosecutor in Lumumbashi.