Angola issues arrest warrant for ex-president’s daughter

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) – Angola has issued an arrest warrant for Isabel dos Santos, daughter to former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, for mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds, according to state run media.

Angola’s attorney general, Helder Pitta Groz, told Angop Press News Agency late Monday that they have notified the global police agency Interpol to find and arrest dos Santos, who is wanted for several criminal lawsuits.

Dos Santos, 49, believed to be Africa’s wealthiest woman, was the former head of state oil company Sonangol. She faces a $5 billion corruption case but denies the claims.

Pitta Groz said the arrest warrant was issued after dos Santos reportedly failed to respond to several court notifications.

The attorney general’s office said dos Santos’ current whereabouts remain unknown, so an international arrest warrant for her was issued.

Two years ago, a provincial court in the capital Luanda ordered the preventive seizure of dos Santos’ personal bank accounts. Her business interests in Portugal also face seizure as Angolan authorities prepare a legal battle.