a French appeal court ruled against the extradition of Beninese businessman Patrice Talon, who is accused

a French appeal court ruled against the extradition of Beninese businessman Patrice Talon, who is accused of plotting to kill President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin. Talon, who has interests in the important cotton trade and in Cotonou port, fled the country after being accused of corruption. In 2012 he and his right-hand man, Olivier Boko, were accused of masterminding an assassination attempt against the President along with his doctor, his niece and other members of the President's entourage. The other accused were acquitted but are still in prison awaiting an appeal against that ruling. A Paris court turned down a request for the extradition of Talon and Boko on 23 October on the grounds that a fair trial was not guaranteed in Benin and that the death penalty, although no longer applied, has not been abolished. The appeal court backed up that decision.