Gabon: “Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo suffer cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”
Lawyers for the former first lady of Gabon and her son claim they are mistreated in detention. Incarcerated in the central prison for several months, they were arrested following the coup d'état of August 30, before being prosecuted among other things for "high treason against state institutions, massive embezzlement of the last public, financial embezzlement international organizations in organized gangs. Those around them are worried about their rights being respected.
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, January 14, 2017. AFP - GABRIEL BOUYS
By: Sébastien Németh Follow
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“
They suffered acts of torture of which I have a list and which are unacceptable!
» Me François Zimeray steps up to defend his clients Sylvia and
Nourredin Bongo
. The lawyer denounces the violation of numerous human rights conventions to which
Gabon
is a signatory. He is not asking for preferential treatment, but simply that we respect “
the presumption of innocence
”, “
their integrity
”, and “
human dignity
”, he says. Out of decency, he said, the lawyer did not wish to give details of the ill-treatment his clients would suffer.
“
These are pure allegations to create a media shock. These accusations make no sense. We have no interest in mistreating them
,” replies a judicial source.
In any case,
the Bongos' situation
remains partly shrouded in mystery since until now, no lawyer or member of their family has been able to visit them in prison. Me François Zimeray came from
France
twice in December to try to see them. The first time, he was not even allowed to leave Libreville airport. The second time, no visitation was granted.
A Gabonese lawyer had obtained communication permits from the justice system, the official document which allows visits, but each time he was prevented from accessing his clients, "
without an official reason being given
", confides a good source.
Isolation
In any case, according to various interlocutors, the detention regimes of the mother and the son differ. Sylvia Bongo was imprisoned in the women's prison in October. A modern building, rehabilitated two years ago. Ironically, it was the former first lady's foundation that helped finance the project.
However, seeing this prisoner arrive like no other, the prison prepared to receive her. “
His bed and mattress are new. The paintings have been redone. She was never put in a degrading situation
,” confides an official source. A wing of the infrastructure has even been specially designed. According to those close to her, her sister would regularly prepare food and a soldier would come and collect the food to bring it to Sylvia Bongo's cell. “
She spends her time cleaning her space, it keeps her busy
,” confides a good source.
As she is French-Gabonese, the Ministry of Justice authorized consular visits, so she was able to meet representatives of the French embassy. Care is also provided to him. According to a person familiar with the matter, she recently suffered from the flu coupled with an attack of malaria. So a doctor came to examine him. “
It has the best possible detention conditions in such a place
,” confides a good connoisseur of the remand center.
However, since her imprisonment in October, no lawyer or member of her family has been able to see her at the central prison. However, on a few occasions, some were able to spend a little time with her, notably during summons to the investigating judge. “
She said she was not coping well with her detention. Apparently, she won't stop crying
,” says someone close to her.
Anxiety attacks
Noureddin Bongo's incarceration regime is more severe. Like his mother, he too has not been able to receive visits from relatives or lawyers since his detention in September. “
He was also able to see one of his lawyers on rare occasions, notably during court summons. But here again, it’s complicated, the prison guard prevents anyone from approaching him
,” people around him confide. One of his counsel adds that certain summons would not be honored because the prison authorities would refuse to allow Noureddin Bongo to leave the remand center. “
The prosecutor has no control over anything at all. It is the military who are in control
,” said a person familiar with the matter.
On a daily basis in the central prison, son Bongo is said to be “
on a dry diet
”. According to a good expert on the area, Bongo's son lives in almost total isolation, inside a spartan individual cell with Turkish toilets. His door would only open rarely to empty the trash or bring in the meal. An official source, however, has nuance. “
He has contact with inmates from time to time, even if it remains limited. He also had a consular and medical visit since he had stomach problems. But he is not locked up 24 hours a day
,” assures this interlocutor.
Like his mother, Noureddin Bongo would have difficulty coping with detention. “
He has anxiety attacks. Once he felt so bad that he knocked on the door. The guards opened the door and put him in an even harsher area, because supposedly he had hit too hard
,” said a member of his entourage. To calm his nerves, Noureddin Bongo would therefore do physical exercises and in particular push-ups in his cell, according to a relative, adding that attempts to send him medicine or meals had failed.
Security reasons
A judicial source explains that the isolation of the Bongos is necessary “
for security reasons
”. “
This is a sensitive issue and their profile is obviously special. We must protect them from others
,” confides this interlocutor. Indeed, prison authorities fear that their sulphurous profile could put them in danger if they were mixed with the rest of the prisoners. “
What matters is their safety. Because if a problem ever arises, if someone attacks them, people will immediately cry conspiracy
,” indicates this expert on the matter.
As for violations of rights, whether visits by lawyers or relatives, an official recognizes that there may have been “
excessive zeal on the part of certain agents, particularly because it is a delicate matter. There are sometimes misunderstandings without any desire to cut them off from a defense. But we must protect the investigation at all costs, that’s for sure
,” said this person close to the authorities.
But the matter goes further and retains a dark side. According to several sources, Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo were taken out of their cells on several occasions. Soldiers reportedly came to pick them up and take them to a residence near the presidency in order to question them. “
This can last several days, so both prisoners sleep outside the prison. This practice is absolutely not legal but it has already been observed in the past, particularly in large anti-corruption operations
,” confides a lawyer. According to a human rights defender, the general management of the special services is in charge. But in the Bongo entourage, we go further. Sylvia and Noureddin would not only be questioned, but also forced to give up their property. “
The soldiers and notaries are there. They force them to sign documents
,” says a well-informed source. Thus bank accounts at BGFI would have been emptied. The property known as “Palmeraie” would also have been transferred. Ali Bongo had inherited this residence upon the death of his father. He gave it to his son Noureddin who lived there with his family until the August 30 coup.
“
They are being forced to strip themselves of all their possessions
,” reacts a friend of the family, who specifies that Sylvia Bongo can no longer pay her employees, the checks being refused at the bank. “
The family does not cling to power or its heritage. But there is a difference between restitution and spoliation. It's like putting a gun to their head. What happens to these goods? Who benefits? In what context?
», asks a relative.
Revenge
Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo's lawyers requested provisional release. It was rejected at first instance and on appeal. The procedure is now at the level of the court of cassation. Already, a lawyer promises that in the event of further failure, the case will be brought before the African Court of Human Rights.
On the investigation side, seizures had already been made several months ago, concerning movable property, money and cars. “
The instruction is long. The investigation is taking place in Gabon and abroad. The facts are patent, obvious. But they must be supported. We need proof. It takes a lot of time
,” confides someone close to the investigation.
On the Bongo side, some relatives believe that the treatment of Sylvia and Noureddin demonstrates a spirit of “
revenge
” from those in power. “
It’s meanness. Even terrorists have the right to see their families and their lawyers
,” say those around them. In any case, this situation could be prolonged over time since according to Gabonese law, an investigation can last up to 18 months.
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