Equatorial Guinea accused France of neo-colonial behavior during International Court of Justice proceedings Tuesday over a seized Paris mansion. French authorities confiscated the luxury residence after convicting Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue of corruption charges. The Central African nation demanded emergency measures to prevent France from selling the property valued above 100 million euros. Ambassador Carmelo Nvono-Ncá condemned French interference in sovereign affairs while seeking unrestricted building access. French legal adviser Diego Colas dismissed the complaint as meritless during court arguments.
The ornate mansion features private cinema facilities and gold-fitted marble appointments near Arc de Triomphe. French courts imposed a three-year suspended sentence and 30 million euro fine against the president's eldest son in 2021. Previous ICJ litigation in 2016 resulted in France's favor after Equatorial Guinea claimed diplomatic immunity for the residence. The court rejected arguments that the building served embassy functions rather than personal use. Current proceedings occur amid the tribunal's packed schedule handling major international disputes.
The ornate mansion features private cinema facilities and gold-fitted marble appointments near Arc de Triomphe. French courts imposed a three-year suspended sentence and 30 million euro fine against the president's eldest son in 2021. Previous ICJ litigation in 2016 resulted in France's favor after Equatorial Guinea claimed diplomatic immunity for the residence. The court rejected arguments that the building served embassy functions rather than personal use. Current proceedings occur amid the tribunal's packed schedule handling major international disputes.
