Isabel dos Santos says she is a victim of political persecution by the Angolan authorities.
The world police agency Interpol confirmed this week that it has issued a “red notice” for Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, daughter of former president Eduardo dos Santos, asking police authorities in third countries to locate and detain her.
Ms. Dos Santos, 49, is being targeted by her country’s justice system. The Angolan authorities suspect her, among other things, of embezzlement, fraud, influence peddling, and money laundering.
There is alleged embezzlement dating back to the time when her father was in power. Eduardo dos Santos led Angola from 1979 until his retirement in 2017. He died on July 8 in Barcelona, Spain.
His successor, current President Joo Lourenço, has made the fight against corruption his main focus.
According to press reports, Isabel dos Santos is accused of embezzling funds from the state oil company, Sonangol. The amounts involved could be as much as US$1 billion.
Mrs. Dos Santos, who lives in exile in Europe, denies all allegations. For her, it is a witch hunt.
According to Interpol, a “red notice” is not an international arrest warrant but a request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or surrender to justice.