Gabon’s military-led government has denied allegations made by deposed President Ali Bongo’s lawyers that his wife Sylvia and eldest son Noureddin were tortured in custody.
The lawyers claimed on Tuesday that the ousted president and his two youngest sons had gone on a hunger strike to protest against alleged torture, which reportedly included beatings, whippings, strangulation, and taser electrocution.
They also stated that they had filed a complaint with the Paris judicial court over the alleged acts.
In a state TV address, government spokeswoman Laurence Ndong dismissed the allegations as “slanderous” and harmful to Gabon’s image.
“The government wishes to state emphatically that they are not being subjected to any form of torture or mistreatment as stated by their lawyers,” she added.
Ndong further denied that the junta was preventing Mr. Bongo from leaving Gabon or receiving visitors, including his lawyers and family members, at his home.
Ali Bongo, 65, was ousted in a military coup in August last year, shortly after winning a disputed presidential election. He had led the oil-rich country since 2009, succeeding his father who had been in power for over 40 years.
