Friday at noon, after 10 days of trial, the verdict of the so-called “Apollo 21” case fell to the Criminal Court of Antananarivo. Six of the 20 defendants were convicted, four of them with heavy sentences. The others were released for the benefit of the doubt, or simply acquitted. Story of this last day of hearing, placed under very high surveillance.
From our correspondent in Antananarivo,
Stun grenades, Kalashnikovs, bulletproof vests… The impressive equipment of the sixty or so police forces deployed around the courtroom reveals this Friday morning a day of trial different from the others.
At the start of the session, each accused speaks one last time in front of the court. ” I refute the indictments “,” I am innocent “,” I never intended to overthrow the regime Can we hear from the mouths of the 20 accused.
Then, at 9.45 am, the president of the court and her four assessors took leave to go and deliberate. In the courtroom then began two long hours of waiting. The defendants pace, joke among themselves, or pray, hands and faces turned towards a decrepit ceiling. All seem serene. At 11:55 am, the members of the jury reappear. ” Let everyone stand while the verdict is read », Orders the president.
Six convictions
In Malagasy first, then in French, the judge then reads the sentence, starting with the acquittals and ending with the heaviest sentence. The twelve gendarmes are acquitted. The retired general Ferdinand Razakarimanana and Brigitte Mroczek, the companion of François Philippe, are released for the benefit of the doubt.
The former Prime Minister, General Victor Ramahatra and the official in charge of the Sareraka are sentenced to five years in prison.
The judge pauses and resumes her statement. ” Sentenced to five years of forced labor [les travaux forcés et le bagne ont été abolis en 2010, mais cette notion, issue du code pénal, est restée. Cela correspond désormais à une peine de prison ndlr] : Voahangy Andrianandrianina, wife of Paul Rafanoharana. Sentenced to 10 years of forced labor : Philippe François and Aina Razafindrakoto. Sentenced to 20 years of forced labor : Paul Rafanoharana. You have the right to appeal in cassation within three days. The hearing is adjourned. “
In the room, the condemned remain standing, stunned, but upright. The three partners of Tsara First, the investment fund dedicated to the gold trade, will meet with their lawyers for half an hour and exchange a few words with their relatives, who have come to support them. Then they will be exfiltrated, through an annex door. Also exfiltrated, the attorneys general, the president and the jurors; throughout the trial, these magistrates took care to flee the press.
► To read also: Story – Trial “Apollo 21” in Madagascar: Philippe François and Brigitte Mroczek deny en bloc
” There was no proof ! “
The defense, it intends to make its anger heard. Neither the procedural flaws denounced nor the violations of the rights of their clients made it possible to obtain the nullity of the procedure. ” I am appalled, this is scandalous ! “Cowardly, annoyed, Me Arlette Rafanomadio, lawyer for Paul Rafanoharana, the man behind the” Apollo 21 Project “. ” They did not look at all the violations of fundamental rights … “
” There was not no proof ! », Explodes on his side Me Willy Olala, another lawyer of Paul Rafanoharana. He always pleaded that his client had only imagined how ” neutralize the mafia that harms the country in order to save Private Ryan “. A nickname given to a head of state presented as a prisoner of influence struggles. “ When did the prosecution bring out the evidence to convict these people? ? It’s lousy. There were instructions somewhere. A mighty hand said: “you’re going to do this,” “insinuates the lawyer.
As proof, the icon of the bar relates that pro-regime media were already announcing heavy sentences in the morning, even before the verdict was pronounced. ” They were already aware, they were in collusion with those who gave the orders. Which proves that the sentence was dictated ! »He says furiously.
Me Chan Fa, defense of Philippe François, tries a more measured approach. ” My client deserved to be acquitted. We respect the decision. But whether we like it or not, there is a political connotation in this file and that is really unfortunate. When politics enter a trial, justice comes out the back door … “
” Our customers went to walk on “their” flower beds “
Me Arlette Rafanomadio adds. “ If there is a plot, why has none of the soldiers been convicted? ? [l’accusation a soutenu durant tout le procès qu’ils avaient été recrutés par Philippe François pour effectuer une action commando, ce que les accusés ont toujours nié, ndlr] A plot cannot be carried out by two or three people ! “
Before turning his heels, the lawyer adds: ” I’ll tell you what’s going on. Our customers went to walk on “their” flowerbeds. This is the bottom line. A company that exploits gold and lands on “their” flowerbeds. This is my analysis. “
“ Who are you referring to Master ? »Question the journalists. “ I can’t tell you, that would be libel, but you can guess who it is », She concludes.
In Madagascar, the majority of the gold business is controlled by the entourage of President Andry Rajoelina. Defense lawyers have already announced that they will appeal in cassation, as soon as the written decision is published.