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Gabon president's accounts frozen Gabon president's accounts frozen
(22 minutes later)
French authorities have frozen bank accounts held by Gabon's President Omar Bongo, says a lawyer in a case against Africa's longest-serving head of state.French authorities have frozen bank accounts held by Gabon's President Omar Bongo, says a lawyer in a case against Africa's longest-serving head of state.
The move comes after a Bordeaux court ordered President Bongo to return a payment made to him to release a jailed French businessman, Rene Cardona.The move comes after a Bordeaux court ordered President Bongo to return a payment made to him to release a jailed French businessman, Rene Cardona.
He was freed after his son paid more than $580,000 (£400,000) into 72-year-old Mr Bongo's account, a court heard.He was freed after his son paid more than $580,000 (£400,000) into 72-year-old Mr Bongo's account, a court heard.
In September, a court ruled this payment had been illegal. Mr Bongo is thought to have more than $4m (£2.8m) in French bank accounts.
In September, a court ruled the payment to Mr Bongo had been illegal.
That verdict was confirmed at appeal on Monday.That verdict was confirmed at appeal on Monday.
Jean-Philippe Le Bail, a lawyer for the jailed businessman's son, told AFP news agency on Thursday: "The accounts held by Omar Bongo in two French banks have been seized."Jean-Philippe Le Bail, a lawyer for the jailed businessman's son, told AFP news agency on Thursday: "The accounts held by Omar Bongo in two French banks have been seized."
Mr Bongo is thought to have more than $4m (£2.8m) in French bank accounts.
Rene Cardona was imprisoned in 1996 after a business dispute with Mr Bongo, to whom he had sold a shipping and fishing firm.Rene Cardona was imprisoned in 1996 after a business dispute with Mr Bongo, to whom he had sold a shipping and fishing firm.
Mr Bongo has been a close associate of a string of French leaders but his relations with Paris have deteriorated in recent years amid legal challenges by anti-corruption activists.Mr Bongo has been a close associate of a string of French leaders but his relations with Paris have deteriorated in recent years amid legal challenges by anti-corruption activists.