Vincent Bolloré detained by anti-corruption officers

Vincent Bolloré, the French billionaire preparing to hand the reins of Vivendi and Havas to his son Yannick, has been arrested by anti-corruption police.

According to a report in Le Monde, officers in Paris detained the well-known businessman – who stepped down as chairman of media group Vivendi only days ago – to question him about suspected corruption in Africa.

Although his holding company Bolloré Group denies any wrongdoing, two rival firms have taken the business to court after Havas, which was a subsidiary of Bolloré Group at the time, was accused of helping two African presidents win power in return for business contracts.

Vincent Bolloré’s business empire spans not only advertising and media, but also shipping and construction where he has African interests.

A Bloomberg report suggests that media agency Havas provided discounted communications advice to Guinean president Alpha Condé and Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé during 2009/10 election times. In return Bolloré Africa Logistics company was given licences to operate container ports in Conakry and Lomé.

All parties deny the allegations.