Teodorin Obiang Nguema referred to Paris Criminal Court

Teodorin Obiang Nguema, son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, has been referred to the Paris Criminal Court.

Obiang Nguema is accused of looting state coffers to fund a lavish lifestyle, acquiring property in some of the world’s most expensive areas.

He was promoted to the position of Vice President in June by his father, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

French prosecutors requested he be tried for suspected money laundering, something he denies, saying his wealth was acquired through successful business dealings.

Prosecutors passed on a 36-page indictment outlining a series of charges before a judge decided whether the case could go to trial.

The case is part of a broader French investigation into money laundering and allegations that several African leaders have acquired property in France with public funds.

Anti-corruption groups, Sherpa and Transparency International France, brought the case against Obiang Nguema and three other heads of state in 2008.