Vincent Bolloré to Face Corruption Trial Over Togo Port

Vincent Bolloré, a French billionaire, will stand trial in December 2023 due to long-standing allegations of bribery and financial misconduct associated with a port concession in Togo. The French prosecutor's office confirmed that the case spans nearly a decade, with central claims asserting that Bolloré leveraged his business interests to secure strategic port contracts in Togo and Guinea.

The charges include bribery related to a port deal in Togo that dates back roughly 15 years and embezzlement linked to separate contracts involving a terminal in Guinea. Prosecutors argue that financial support raised concerns about the integrity of the contract process, questioning whether undue influence was exerted in awarding the port deal.

Bolloré has consistently denied any wrongdoing, with his legal representatives asserting that the payments in question were part of legitimate commercial arrangements. The trial follows Bolloré's unsuccessful attempt in 2021 to resolve the matter through a plea deal, which was ultimately rejected by a French judge.

His legal team is challenging the fairness of the upcoming trial, citing the collapse of the earlier plea deal as a compromise of his rights to a fair hearing.