Ruslan Obiang Convicted for Illegally Selling State Aircraft

Ruslan Obiang convicted of illegally selling Equatorial Guinea’s national airline plane; faces six years jail unless he repays $255,000

Ruslan Obiang convicted — the son of Equatorial Guinea’s longtime president has been found guilty of illegally selling a national airline aircraft, according to a statement from the country’s Supreme Court press office.

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The court ruled on Tuesday that Obiang, 50, who previously served as director of Ceiba Intercontinental, the state-owned airline, sold an ATR 72-500 plane to a Spanish company and kept the proceeds for himself.

Supreme Court spokesperson Hilario Mitogo told reporters that Obiang faces a six-year jail sentence, which can be waived if he repays approximately $255,000 to the airline, plus additional damages and a fine.

“The court gave him an option: pay the money back or go to jail,” Mitogo said in a WhatsApp statement.

Obiang was acquitted on separate charges of embezzlement and abuse of office.

Obiang was placed under house arrest in 2023 by order of his half-brother, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is also a son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Obiang Nsue has also served as secretary of state for sports and youth in the oil-rich central African country.

President Obiang, now 83 years old, has ruled Equatorial Guinea for 46 years, making him the world’s longest-serving head of state.

This is not the first time a member of the Obiang family has faced legal action.

In 2021, a French court convicted Vice-President Obiang Mangue of embezzling public funds, handing down a suspended jail sentence and a $35 million fine.

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This latest ruling highlights ongoing efforts within the country and abroad to hold even elite officials accountable for corruption and abuse of power.