A Mozambican court has sentenced the son of a former president and others to prison for their role in the “tuna bonds” corruption scandal.

Ex-President Armando Guebuza’s son, Ndambi Guebuza, and two former heads of intelligence, Gregorio Leao and Antonio do Rosario, each got 12 years behind bars.

Eight of their co-accused were convicted and sentenced to between 10 and 12 years.

“The crimes committed have brought consequences whose effects will last for generations,” Judge Efigenio Baptista said while handing down the sentences.

A total of 19 people had been charged with blackmail, embezzlement and money laundering over their alleged roles in Mozambique’s biggest financial scandal. Eight have been acquitted for lack of evidence.

The scandal involved the country borrowing more than $2bn ($1.6bn) from international banks, much of it without the knowledge or approval of the country’s parliament, triggering an economic crisis.

Source; BBC