Prosecutors in France can proceed next month with the corruption trial of the son of Equatorial Guinea’s president after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) refused to stop it, the AP news agency reports.
Equatorial Guinea resorted to the United Nations’ highest court, hoping it would order France to halt the prosecution.
It argued that Teodorin Obiang Nguema has immunity from prosecution in France because of his position as vice president of the oil-rich West African state.
However, the ICJ said it did not have jurisdiction over the case and would not make a ruling, AP reports.
Mr Obiang’s trial is due to start in Paris on 2 January.
He faces charges of corruption, money laundering and embezzlement.
He denies the charges, but is not expected to appear in court to defend himself.
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