Gabonese opposition leader Bilie-By-Nze remains in detention after rejection of his request

The Libreville Court of Appeal on Tuesday rejected the request for nullity of procedure by former Gabonese Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, keeping him in detention. Detained since April 16 on alleged charges of abuse of trust and fraud dating back to 2008, his lawyers denounce a procedurally flawed and arbitrary detention, arguing the facts are time-barred since 2011. Lawyer Arthur Vercken called for his immediate release, calling the detention a serious violation of Gabonese law and international commitments.