Equatorial Guinea Seeks UN Court Block Sale Paris Mansion

Equatorial Guinea has urged the United Nations International Court of Justice to issue an emergency halt on the sale of a luxury Paris mansion seized from Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the African country's president, amid a long-running legal dispute. The mansion was confiscated after Teodorin Obiang was convicted by a French court in 2017 of embezzling millions in public funds, with French authorities also seizing other assets including luxury vehicles. Equatorial Guinea argues that France is violating a UN anti-corruption treaty by refusing to return the property, claiming the seized assets are public funds that should be returned to the state, and has accused France of paternalistic and neo-colonial behavior. The country previously lost a 2020 ICJ case where the court ruled the building was a private residence and not part of Equatorial Guinea's diplomatic mission. Teodorin Obiang has faced similar corruption investigations and sanctions in other countries, including the UK, Switzerland, and Brazil. The court's ruling on the request to halt the sale is expected in the coming weeks.