Vincent Bollor茅: French tycoon held over 'Africa corruption'

Image source, AFP/Getty

Image caption, Mr Bollor茅's holding company has denied any irregularities

French billionaire Vincent Bollor茅 has been detained for questioning by anti-corruption police near Paris.

Officers in Nanterre are asking him about suspected corruption in Africa, reports say. It comes days after he stepped down as chairman of the media group Vivendi.

His holding company the Bollor茅 Group has denied any irregularities.

It is alleged that a subsidiary helped two African presidents win power in return for lucrative contracts.

Two rival firms have taken the Bollor茅 Group to court over the concessions.

Mr Bollor茅's business empire includes shipping, advertising, construction and media and has large interests in Africa. He is one of France's best-known businessmen.

Investigators are looking into allegations that his Havas advertising agency provided discounted communications advice to Guinean President Alpha Cond茅 and Togolese President Faure Gnassingb茅 at election time in return for the Bollor茅 Africa Logistics company being given licences to operate container ports in Conakry and Lom茅.

All parties deny the allegations.

Image source, AFP/Getty

Image caption, The Guinean government says there is nothing wrong with the contract for Conakry port

After the election in Guinea, Mr Cond茅 terminated the contract of Conakry port's existing operator and gave it to the Bollor茅 Group.

A spokesman for the government of Guinea said there was nothing wrong with the contract for the shipping container terminal.

The Bollor茅 Group says that its long record of investment in Africa was already sufficient grounds for it to have been awarded the licences.