Senegalese president pardons predecessor's corrupt son

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - President Macky Sall on Friday pardoned the son of his predecessor who was convicted for amassing an illicit fortune amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in Senegal, according to a presidential statement.

Karim Wade had been found guilty of illicit enrichment by a local court and jailed in April 2013, a year after his father, former president Abdoulaye Wade, lost the presidential polls in 2012.

The court had sentenced him to six years and also fined him $270 million.

Wade reportedly left the prison early Friday.

The statement said financial sanctions contained in the court judgment and the recovery procedure outlined in its verdict would remain in place.

Abdoulaye Wade had served the country's president between 2000 and 2012. He had appointed his son as minister for infrastructure, international cooperation and air transport during his tenure.

The ex-president’s son reportedly owned eight luxury cars, two homes and a number of aviation companies, along with property abroad, including in Monaco and Singapore.

Last May, Sall promised to pardon Wade before the end of the year.

The announcement had sparked a huge debate in the country between the supporters of his release and others who felt that the former minister must serve his sentence.

On May 28, the current Senegalese president had launched a national dialogue between the opposition, civil society and religious leaders.

According to experts, Karim Wade's release is part of this national dialogue process.