Gabon opposition leader kept behind bars as court rejects appeal | Africanews

Gabon’s main opposition figure, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, will remain in detention after an appeals court rejected his bid to invalidate legal proceedings against him. The decision deepens concerns over judicial independence and political freedoms in the Central African nation.

Former Gabonese Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze will remain in prison after the Libreville Court of Appeal rejected his request to nullify the legal proceedings brought against him.

The ruling, delivered on June 2, marks a significant setback for the opposition leader, who has been detained since April 16.

Bilie-By-Nze is under investigation for alleged breach of trust and fraud linked to events dating back to 2008. His legal team argues that the accusations are legally prescribed and therefore should no longer be subject to prosecution.

Defense denounces arbitrary detention