Since the Arab dictators and the dictators of North Africa fell last year, efforts to repatriate the estimated assets acquired in a manner that does not really continue the effort.
The dictator who allegedly took the money of the people for their own interests, it is thought to spread their treasures to the world. The form also varied. Of phantom accounts in banks abroad to luxury homes in various cities around the world. In the 4th Arrondissement, Paris, for example. In one corner of a street popular with its Marais district is exclusive, there stood a large house that attracted the attention of road users in the vicinity.
Mansion by the gate of the 17th century was escorted across a pair of wooden doors, carved with the legend of Rome, Romulus and Remus. According to some reports, the house has two large pages, baroque murals on the ceiling, and has been home several important figures and playwright Caron de Beaumarchais. Perhaps one of the most important thing about that house is the present owner. Only two months before the Revolution sparked Arab country, Tunisia President Zine el Abidine ben Ali, rumored to buy a home is worth USD54 million.
At the same time, most people groan because of difficulty finding a job. Marais mansion is just one of the many assets of Ben Ali is now justified, done as an initiative to replace the funds taken from the alleged corruption of the Tunisian regime. This business can be done thanks, in part, filed a lawsuit that a group of human rights defenders is not very well known in France calling themselves the "Sherpa".
Sherpa's office was in a crowded office building in Rue de Milan, Paris. Office of the room was filled with a stack of thick, colorful folder, which is labeled with local names such as Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Sherpa consists of a group of volunteer lawyers who examine financial records and property to track the assets of corrupt leaders and the flow of illicit funds.
Director of the nonprofit agency is Maud Perdriel-Vaissiere, slender woman who burnt nicotine and spirit to bring him a dictator whose assets browse. "The people are growing in developing countries. What they do not want to do something good for their country? However, it is a reaction that is quite naive, I suppose, "said Perdriel-Vaissiere, told CNBC. According to him, the task of pro-bono attorney was not at all glamorous and very intensive, because it is a task that should be implemented by law enforcement.
"We prefer that the public prosecutors do their job well, but they were not so," said Perdriel-Vaissiere. Currently the largest case handled Sherpa is a case known as Mal Acquis Bien cases or cases with the introduction of a Obtained forbidden . the case it focuses on the ruling families in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Republic of Congo.
Sherpa said the lawyers had found a number of assets in France, including 112 bank accounts related to family power in the Republic of Congo, 39 luxury properties related to the family of former President Omar Bongo, Gabon, and a mansion along with a number of luxury cars worth more than $ 6 million charge related to the family of President Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo. But despite this luxury, French prosecutors refused to pursue the case on the grounds of lack of evidence.
"Those countries continued to say that they will do anything to combat corruption. But in fact, no single country in the western world is truly intend to take real action, "said Perdriel-Vaissiere. Sherpa joined the Berlin-based corruption, Transparency International, which spent three years as prosecutors appealed the decision, take their case to the Supreme Court french. then, that's where the big decisions were issued, the Supreme Court ordered the case continued Bien Mal Acquis .
"So far, we are the only country where an NGO allowed to lift the criminal case and its decision is very wide so we are very happy," said Jacques Terray, head of the French branch of Transparency International. So far, due to the combined efforts Sherpa and Transparency International, the apparatus authorities have confiscated 11 cars, worth more than $ 6 million, the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea. The government objection to the confiscation of assets, calling it "not important" and contrary to international law.
Son of the president's official salary as a government minister for less than $ 100,000 per year, but his property is quite abundant, including the apartment area of 10,000 square feet (929 square meters) near the Arc de Triomphe, the French police searched earlier this month. Assets that, as expected Sherpa and Transparency International, is derived from corruption. "They have acted like the country, with immunity. And, I guess they did not even feel guilty, "said Terray.
So, what is the purpose of this business? Everything, according to Perdriel-Vaissiere, done for the money back to the people. But, of course, the effort was not always as easy as turning the palm of the hand. "The difficulty we face is that maybe we do not want to give that money back to the very same people who hide it for years," he said. Although difficult, Perdriel-Vaissiere still have hope.
"If one of these kleptokrat was convicted and sentenced, others may lack the intention to take state funds. We must go forward, and much remains to be resolved, "he said.
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