Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president personally ordered the arrest of his half-brother over allegations he sold a plane owned by the state airline, a government statement says.
Both the vice-president and his half-brother are sons of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue « expressed indignation » over the sale, the statement said.
Ruslan Obiang Nsue, a former director of the Ceiba International airline, sold the ATR72-500 without the approval of the company’s board to a Spanish company, authorities say.
It is also alleged he pocketed the proceeds of the sale. He has not publicly commented on the allegations.
His half-brother ordered him to be put under house arrest and then transferred « to judicial custody, » the statement said.
« In addition, Nguema Obiang Mangue has proposed that the head of state suspend him from all his functions in the state company, for orchestrating the sale of the ATR72-500, » it continued.
An investigation was ordered last year after an aircraft disappeared while undergoing maintenance in Spain, according to local media.
President Obiang has a strong grip on the oil-rich central African nation, with several family members in key government roles.
