Ali Bongo on hunger strike over family torture and humiliation

Gabon’s deposed president Ali Bongo and two of his sons, Jalil and Bilan, have gone on hunger strike, alleging family members suffered torture in detention in the central African country, according to his lawyers.

Bongo was ousted in a military coup last August following a disputed election and has since been confined to his home in Libreville with his sons. His wife, Sylvia, and eldest son, Noureddin, are imprisoned, facing corruption charges.

Lawyers claim Noureddin was “repeatedly tortured, beaten with a hammer and crowbar, strangled, whipped, and electrocuted with a Taser,” and Sylvia was also beaten and forced to witness Noureddin’s torture. Gabonese authorities have not responded to these allegations.