Equatorial Guinea President’s Son Jailed Over ATR72

A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced Ruslan Obiang Nsue, son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, to six years in prison for illegally selling an ATR72-500 belonging to national airline CEIBA Intercontinental. The ruling, reported by AFP, allows him to avoid prison if he repays about $255,000 plus additional damages and fines.

Obiang Nsue, a former director of the airline and former secretary of state for sports and youth, was convicted of misusing his position to sell the ATR72-500, registered 3C-LLI, to Spanish carrier Binter Canarias in 2020. He was acquitted of broader charges of embezzlement and abuse of office.

The case was initiated by Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, his half-brother, who ordered an investigation in 2022. Nsue was placed under house arrest in 2023 as part of the proceedings. Prosecutors initially sought an 18-year sentence and fines of around $850,000.

During the trial, Nsue admitted authorizing the sale but argued the proceeds were used to settle debts owed by CEIBA Intercontinental. He claimed the aircraft had been sent to Binter in 2016 for maintenance but was never repaired due to costs. In 2020, he approved its dismantling for €250,000 to pay creditors, later transferring the funds to his personal account in Spain after being warned of potential seizures.

The ruling adds to ongoing scrutiny of the Obiang family, following Vice President Nguema Obiang Mangue’s 2021 conviction in France for embezzling public funds.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com