Herve Patrick Opiangah, a former Gabonese minister facing accusations of incest, has filed a complaint with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, alleging violent state persecution, his legal team announced on Tuesday.
Opiangah, 54, is under criminal investigation for suspected incest involving his daughter, Elisabeth. He has been wanted by authorities since November. However, his supporters claim the charges are politically motivated, stemming from his opposition to the new constitution championed by General Brice Oligui Nguema, who seized power in an August 2023 coup.
The former mining minister currently resides abroad and leads the Union for Democracy and Social Integration party. His political allies argue that security forces unlawfully raided his home last November without a warrant, reinforcing their claims that the case is flawed and driven by political motives.
Opiangah’s daughter has repeatedly denied the allegations and refused to file a complaint against him. Despite this, legal efforts to have the case dismissed have stalled. His party has accused the government of weaponising the state’s military and police forces to pursue judicial proceedings against him.
On Monday, Opiangah formally submitted his petition to the African Commission, asserting his rights and denouncing what he describes as a “conspiracy” against him. His lawyer, Marc Bensimmon, told AFP that the case reflects an abuse of state power aimed at silencing political opposition.
The Gabonese government has not yet responded to the complaint.
