DR Congo ex-minister jailed for money laundering

A former government minister in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been sentenced to three years in prison for money laundering and the illegal transfer of funds abroad.

Congolese prosecutors had been investigating Willy Bakonga over the embezzlement of funds earmarked for free primary education.

Earlier this month he was extradited from neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville where he had been arrested on board a plane heading for the French capital, Paris, carrying $30,000 (£22,000).

In February the World Bank suspended a first tranche of $100m which was to be used to fund free education in DR Congo because of concerns about corruption.

Two public education officials in DR Congo were sentenced to 20 years in prison for embezzlement last month.

By BBC