The attorney-general of Malawi told the BBC that the government is requesting $309 billion (£245 billion) in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone corporation for rubies that have been sold from the southern African state during the past ten years.
The charge was rejected as “baseless and defamatory” by Columbia Gem House, a family-run company that claims to support fair trade principles.
According to Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, the government is also requesting $9.5 million from Turkish tobacco company Star Agritech and $4 billion from French gas giant TotalEnergies in unpaid revenue from an oil storage agreement.
Star Agritech denied any debt, while TotalEnergies declined to comment.
