A new twist in the investigation of ‘blood diamonds’
The legal scenario for Andorran citizens involved in the trafficking of ‘blood diamonds’ is becoming increasingly complex. Recently, the complaint filed before the Spanish National Court, which initially only affected Manuel Terrén, former head of Orfund in West Africa, has been expanded.
New accusations and actors involved
The complaint now also extends to Maria do Socorro Toscano, Terrén’s wife, and Andorran businessman Marc Pantebre. All three are accused of money laundering, a crime that arises from the allegations of Aiah Ngekia, a man from Sierra Leone who was a victim of slavery in diamond mines controlled by guerrilla groups.
The police report paper
The General Information Commission (CGI) has prepared a report that supports this new phase of the complaint. The investigations have revealed indications of money laundering by Manuel Terrén, who would have accumulated a significant fortune thanks to the illegal diamond trade during the 1990s.
Trajectory of illicit funds
After a period of inactivity, Terrén and Toscano emerged in Brazil as owners of a hotel complex. The Costa Brava Praia ‘resort’, located in Paraíba, is suspected of being financed with money illegally obtained during the Sierra Leone civil war.
Buying a property in Spain
In 2016, the couple purchased a property in Pizarra, Malaga, for a cash payment that has caught the attention of investigators. The circumstances of this purchase have raised suspicions about the true origin of the funds.
A network of suspicious transfers
Maria do Socorro Toscano’s accounts have been analyzed, revealing a series of transfers that suggest a money laundering operation. Among the transactions stands out a significant sum sent by Marc Pantebre, a former president of the Chamber of Commerce, who has been linked to Terrén’s business activity.
The absence of supporting documents
Authorities have found that the transfers lack documentation to prove their legitimate origin. Only two of the transfers are mentioned as capital increases, but these have been dismissed by investigators as fake.
Demands for accountability and investigation
Aiah Ngekia’s lawyers have requested that Terrén, Toscano and Pantebre be charged with money laundering. They are also asking that other figures, such as Jordi Cinca and José María Gabilondo, be summoned to testify, highlighting the complexity of the connections surrounding this case.
International legal actions
The investigation could expand internationally, with requests for letters rogatory to trace the funds to Andorra, Panama and Hong Kong. Now, Judge Francisco de Jorge will have to determine the next steps in this legal saga.
The testimony of a former minister
Jordi Cinca, former minister and current president of the CASS Retirement Reserve Fund, is among the witnesses involved in this investigation. His testimony, as well as that of other Andorran figures, could prove crucial in deciphering the money laundering network and obtaining a clearer view of the case.