Gims placed in police custody in money laundering investigation in France

Paris, March 25, 2026 - Congolese-French singer and rapper Gims has been taken into police custody for questioning in connection with an investigation into alleged organized money laundering activities.

According to judicial sources, the 39-year-old artist is being questioned under a rogatory commission issued by investigating magistrates and overseen by France’s National Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office. He is reportedly being examined as part of inquiries into suspected complex financial operations involving significant monetary flows.

Gims, whose birth name is Gandhi Djuna, was apprehended on Wednesday upon his arrival at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport from Dubai. Investigators are seeking to clarify his possible role in financial transactions described as suspicious, although no formal charges have been publicly announced at this stage.

A prominent figure in Francophone music and a self-described ambassador of Congolese culture, Gims was appointed cultural ambassador for the Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2022 by President Félix Tshisekedi. He was also granted a diplomatic passport in recognition of his role in promoting Congolese culture abroad.

Alongside his international career, he has frequently highlighted Congolese musical heritage, collaborating with and drawing inspiration from major figures such as Koffi Olomide. His work often incorporates Congolese rhythms, helping broaden their reach across global Francophone audiences.

Beyond music, Gims has been involved in cultural and humanitarian initiatives linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo, including proposals for modern recording studios in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi and support for cultural events aimed at promoting Congolese music internationally. He has also used his platform to speak out on humanitarian crises in eastern Congo and to call for international attention to ongoing violence in the region.