Breaking News: Lawyer Arrested for Corruption in Equatorial Guinea Project Scandal
In a major development, the Spanish National Police have apprehended a lawyer suspected of corrupting high-level officials linked to the Equatorial Guinea government. With support from Europol, investigators discovered that the suspect had funneled approximately EUR 4.5 million through his project development company. The funds were allegedly intended to secure a deal to construct a factory for the African country’s fishing sector.
The operation, which took place on 2 July 2024 in Asturias, Spain, resulted in the arrest of the lawyer following two residential searches. Authorities seized five properties valued at EUR 4.5 million, EUR 30,000 in cash, and 21 bank accounts containing over EUR 2 million.
Further scrutiny revealed that the suspect’s company, despite minimal business activities, reported income of over EUR 4.5 million between 2020 and 2022. Investigators also found connections between the payments and individuals close to the Equatorial Guinea government.
The lawyer now faces charges of corruption, money laundering, falsifying accounts, and forging documents in connection with a fishery project contract signed in 2019. Europol played a crucial role in the investigation, providing analytical support through its SIENA platform and coordinating operations from its headquarters in The Hague.
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