Bangladesh, Sept. 16 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has dealt a major blow to Equatorial Guineas long-running effort to reclaim a luxury mansion in Paris once owned by Teodorín Obiang, the scandal-plagued son of the countrys president. On September 12, the world court dismissed Malabos latest request for emergency measures, opening the way for French authorities to sell the multimillion-euro estate seized more than a decade ago in a corruption probe.

The decision marks the second time the ICJ has ruled in favor of France in this dispute, further isolating Equatorial Guinea in its campaign to shield Obiangs assets from confiscation. It also strengthens international precedent against attempts by authoritarian governments...