Foreign Affairs claims the separation of powers after criticism from Equatorial Guinea for an investigation by the AN

The vice president of the country denounced "interference" by the investigation against senior officials for the alleged kidnapping of Spaniards

MADRID, 4 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has claimed the separation of powers in Spain after criticism from Equatorial Guinea for the investigation opened by the National Court against three senior officials in the country, one of them the son of President Teodoro Obiang, for the alleged kidnapping and torture of two Spanish citizens.

Diplomatic sources consulted by Europa Press have confirmed that the Spanish ambassador in Malabo, Alfonso Barnuevo, met on Tuesday with the Equatoguinean Foreign Minister, Simeón Oyono, but they did not wish to comment on whether said meeting was motivated by the news of the opening of the research.

The Government "is in contact with the Equatoguinean authorities at all times" since it is "a country to which we are linked by first-rate historical and cultural ties that we want to maintain to continue working for the well-being of the Equatoguinean population", they have pointed out the sources, stressing the importance of respecting "the separation of powers, fundamental in the constitutional system".

National Hearing Judge Santiago Pedraz is investigating Carmelo Ovono Obiang, son of the president and Secretary of State for Foreign Security in Equatorial Guinea; to Nicholas Obama Nchama, Minister of National Security; and the director general of Presidential Security, Isaac Nguema.

Pedraz has admitted for processing a complaint filed by the Movement for the Liberation of Equatorial Guinea Third Republic (MLGE3R), an opposition group to which the victims belonged. Specifically, the complaint focuses on the alleged kidnapping and subsequent torture suffered by four members of the MLGE3R: the residents of Spain Martín Obiang and Bienvenido Ndong and the Spanish nationals Feliciano Efa and Julio Obama Mefuman.

The four were captured in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on November 15, 2019, and later flown on a presidential plane to Equatorial Guinea. Here, in addition to being tortured, they have been sentenced to long prison terms, 90 years in the case of Efa Mangue and 70 in the case of Obama Mefuman, for their alleged participation in an attempted coup.

After the investigation came to light, the Equatoguinean vice president and also the president's son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang, published a series of messages on Twitter denouncing that "Western justice is politicized to the bone" and criticizing Spain.

"I recommend to all the members of the Government of Equatorial Guinea, that they avoid traveling to the Kingdom of Spain so as not to be humiliated, because that European country does not want the prosperity of the Equatorial Guineans," said 'Teodorín', as he is popularly known, "only humiliate our country, commit interference and disrespect our sovereignty".

The Equatoguinean vice president claimed that "he has proceeded with all legality", claiming that there was a search and capture order against the Spaniards for "having attempted a coup d'état" in Equatorial Guinea and that the embassies had been asked to collaborate, including the from Spain.

Regarding the two imprisoned Spaniards, the diplomatic sources consulted have indicated to Europa Press that both the Embassy and the Consulate in Malabo are pending their case at all times and steps have been taken with the authorities for their protection.

Likewise, they have been provided with the consular assistance that their circumstances have allowed and their families are kept informed. Thus, the sources have taken the opportunity to "demand respect for Human Rights and public liberties in Equatorial Guinea."