E. Guinea leader's son to stand trial over French fortune

Paris (AFP) - The son of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea's veteran ruler will go on trial in France on charges of corruption and misusing public money to fund a jet-set lifestyle in Paris, judicial sources told AFP on Wednesday.

Teodorin Obiang, currently vice president, is accused of using the proceeds of corruption and embezzlement to fund an array of eye-popping purchases, from private jets and top properties to pop star Michael Jackson's famous white glove.

His trial in France, whose date has not yet been set, will be the first arising from a series of landmark investigations into the alleged ill-gotten gains of a handful of African leaders.

Prosecutors will show he amassed French assets worth several tens of millions of euros between 2007 and 2011, "either directly or through front men or shell companies", a source close to the investigation said.

Obiang, now 47, was his father Teodoro Obiang Nguema's agriculture minister in the west African nation at the time, earning a government salary of under $100,000 (89,000 euros) a year.

He will be tried on charges of laundering the proceeds of corruption, embezzlement, misuse of public funds and breach of trust.

In 2012, French authorities swooped on the Obiang family's six-storey mansion on Avenue Foch -- one of the poshest addresses in Paris -- seizing it along with several luxury cars.

Teodorin Obiang, the son of Equatorial Guinea's president, arrives at Malabo stadium for ceremonies to celebrate his 41st birthday on June 24, 2013

Police also took away van-loads of valuables, including paintings by famous artists, a $4.2-million clock and wines worth thousands of euros a bottle.

The investigation was launched after Transparency International and Sherpa, an NGO that campaigns against economic crimes, filed a complaint against him.

Obiang has tried unsuccessfully ever since to have the proceedings quashed.

Obiang Nguema, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, seized power in Equatorial Guinea in a 1979 military coup.

He promoted his son to vice president in charge of defence and national security in June.

US authorities have also pursued Obiang junior, accusing him of racking up more than $300 million through embezzlement, extortion and money laundering.

In October 2014, he was forced to turn over more than $30 million in ill-gotten gains -- including a Malibu villa, a Ferrari and Michael Jackson memorabilia.

He managed however to hang onto the white glove Jackson wore during his "Bad" tour.

Other leaders under investigation in France include Republic of Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Gabon's Omar Bongo. They deny any wrongdoing.