Democratic Republic of Congo

Swiss hand Mobutu's assets to family

Article published on the 2009-07-15 Latest update 2009-07-15 13:11 TU

Mobutu Sese Seko
(Photo : AFP)

A Swiss court ruled on Tuesday that the frozen assets of late DRC ruler Mobutu Sese Seko must go to his family. Mobutu had 7.7 million Swiss francs (5.1 million euros) frozen in a Swiss bank account. The funds were blocked by the government in April until October.

Criminology professor Mark Pieth from Basel University brought a citizen’s appeal to try and extend the freeze on the assets, alleging that Mobutu’s family members were involved in criminal activities.

However, the federal criminal court in Bellinzone rejected the appeal, arguing that too much time had passed since the Congolese government first made money-laundering allegations against Mobutu.

Swiss authorities have repeatedly tried to block the release of the funds since Mobutu's fall from power. They froze the assets again several days after the appeal was launched to give time for it to be heard.

Mobutu came to power in 1965 in a coup, five years after the country, which was renamed Zaire, gained independence from Belgium. During his rule, the DRC plunged into a long economic crisis, marked by corruption.

Mobutu was overthrown in May 1997 by Laurent Kabila, father of current President Joseph Kabila. Mobutu died of cancer a few months later while living in exile in Morocco.