Suspicions of corruption in Togo: Vincent Bolloré sees his indictment confirmed

In February 2021, Vincent Bolloré (our illustration photo) had publicly acknowledged the alleged facts and agreed to pay a fine of 375,000 euros, during a CRPC. The judge in charge of the case, however, refused to approve this "guilty plea". © AFP/Archives

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2 min

New judicial episode in the suspicions of corruption in Togo weighing on Vincent Bolloré: according to the lawyers, parties to the file, the Paris Court of Appeal canceled, this Tuesday, March 22, part of the documents of the investigation into the attribution of the management of the port of Lomé between 2009 and 2011, but confirmed the indictment of the French businessman for bribery of a foreign public official.

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The Court of Appeal had been seized by the defense of Vincent Bolloré who requested the nullity of the judicial investigation and therefore his indictment, on the grounds in particular that the presumption of innocence of the French billionaire was flouted by the fact that his abortive attempt to plead guilty was included in the procedure.

It should be recalled that the investigating judges, seized since 2013, suspect in particular the Bolloré group and its "highest authorities" of having used the political consulting activities of its subsidiary Euro RSCG to fraudulently win the management of the port of Lomé for the benefit of another of its subsidiaries.

A "necessary" trial

 »

However, in February 2021, Vincent Bolloré had publicly acknowledged the alleged facts and agreed to pay a fine of 375,000 euros, during an appearance on prior recognition of guilt (CRPC), negotiated with the prosecutor's office. But the judge in charge of the case had refused to approve this "plea-guilty", considering "necessary" the holding of a trial.

It is therefore the documents relating to this CRPC that the Court of Appeal finally annulled. "It's not a surprise, it's the enforcement. The recognition of guilt cannot appear in the file because it is necessary to preserve the presumption of innocence, "reacts Jérôme Karsenti, counsel of the associations Anticor and Sherpa, civil parties. But for the lawyer, this decision remains a "victory", since "the indictment is confirmed and therefore Vincent Bolloré will appear before an independent and impartial tribunal for corruption". Contacted, Me Baratelli, lawyer of Vincent Bolloré, declined to comment.

(

With AFP)

► Read also: The Bolloré group officially sells its African activities to the shipowner MSC

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• Togo
• France
• Corruption
• Trade and Commerce