Ousted Gabon president's wife charged with money laundering by new authorities

Sylvia Bongo Valentin, the wife of Gabon's recently deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been charged with "money laundering" and other offenses, according to the public prosecutor.

As reported by France 24, it comes approximately a month after her husband was overthrown in a coup shortly after being declared the winner of the presidential election.

French-born Valentin has been under house arrest in the capital since August 30 with the couple's son, Noureddin, having already faced charges of corruption and embezzlement of public funds, along with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers.

Earlier this month, one of Sylvia Bongo Valentin's lawyers had raised concerns about her being held "incommunicado outside any legal framework."

The publication recalls, that ousted Ali Bongo took over as president in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had ruled Gabon for nearly 42 years. Ali Bongo's presidency came to an end in August after the disputed presidential election and subsequent coup.