Papa Massata Diack corruption appeal opens in Paris

FILE PHOTO: Papa Massata Diack, the son of former world athletics chief Lamine Diack, speaks out ahead of a September 16 verdict in his father's corruption trial in Dakar, Senegal September 14, 2020. REUTERS/Christophe Van Der Perre

PARIS (Reuters) - The appeal trial of Papa Massata Diack, son of Lamine Diack, the late former head of world athletic’s governing body, against a corruption conviction opened in Paris on Friday, one of his French lawyers said.

Papa Massata, who fled France to Senegal seven years ago when the French investigation first began, was not present at the appeal hearing.