Dozens of Ivorians of Lebanese descent were detained at a house in Abidjan (Maka) on suspicion of acquiring citizenship through fraudulent means and trafficking passports. Among those arrested is Abbas Badr Eddine, the director general of "Plastika." According to the newspaper "Jeune Afrique," Abbas Badr Eddine was arrested on July 17, after suspicion arose regarding his acquisition of Ivorian citizenship through deception, based on a presidential decree of naturalization obtained by his father.
On the morning of July 18, additional arrests were made at the "DonPapa" nightclub in "Biétry," located in Marcory, a venue frequented by the Lebanese community and managed by Moroccans. The suspects are accused of obtaining Ivorian citizenship by paying bribes to government officials, as well as of forging passports and identity documents. The case has been assigned to Judge George Agati Jleili Ouli, the chief investigating judge at the economic and financial crime center in Abidjan, with Prime Minister Patrick Achi closely following the developments.
The investigation is ongoing, and Ivorian authorities have not yet reported the number of detained suspects. Nevertheless, this case has caused significant uproar in Ivory Coast and could have serious repercussions on the relations between Ivory Coast and Lebanon.
