This Monday, January 31, 2022, one of the most famous activists active on social networks was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, a fine of 6.9 million ariary (about 1,550 euros) and five years in prison. on trial for defamation, insulting the state and spreading false news. The commentator on political news, and opponent, finds himself at the heart of a media whirlwind where minister, deputy and ex-presidents do not hesitate to speak out to overwhelm or support him.
With our correspondent in Antananarivo,
” Is it true that the newly built Bailey bridge in Moramanga (following the collapse of a dike six days earlier, editor’s note) is broken? ” It is because of this question, posted on his own Facebook account last Friday, and widely commented, that Mahery Lanto Manandafy, alias Malama, was summoned on Saturday January 29 to the ” cybercrime center of the judicial police.
Furious at this summons, the influential activist rose up and immediately published two other messages: I’m not afraid of you, even if you’re president “, followed by ” You think you’re all-powerful when you’re just incapable (in Malagasy, the words are insulting, filthy, editor’s note). The case is gaining momentum.
The Minister of the Interior splits a video to remind the activist, son of the late Manandafy Rakotonirina, the founder of the MFM party, that he has no right to disrespect high-ranking personalities. A deputy attacks him by castigating him for having dared to challenge the President of the Republic. Marc Ravalomanana and Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the last two heads of state, send a press release to support Manandafy and denounce ” the dictatorship “.
After 48 hours in police custody, Manandafy was transferred to the Anosy court of first instance to be heard behind closed doors on January 31. But while he is in the office of the Prosecutor, explains the opponent, ” gendarmes burst in and ask to follow “. The police refuse to give it to the gendarmes. ” I was removed from the courtroom and driven to the parking lot of a nearby luxury hotel.. The negotiations between the police continue, without success. Manandafy eventually returns to court, under police escort.
” I won’t stop giving my opinion »
At 5 p.m., the family and journalists are then invited to listen to the sentence read by the judge. The sanction falls: a very heavy fine and a suspended prison sentence… like a warning. Mahery Lanto Manandafy promises: “ I have undertaken to no longer insult the President of the Republic. On the other hand, it will be difficult to muzzle me. Whether it is state, economic or social affairs, I will not stop giving my opinion on it. I do not agree with the Malagasy state being managed in this way. There is no projection. No planning. A quarter of the state budget, called the transversal budget, is used haphazardly. Without them being accountable. I can’t see that and shut up. Despite my condemnation, I will continue to speak. »
A far from encouraging situation, comments the journalist Fernand Cello, his friend and supporter who had been given a two-year suspended prison sentence under the previous regime, after denouncing land expropriations. ” It is a false freedom. It is not free because it cannot function as before. This reprieve is a warning. If he continues to denounce a file against the current regime, he will go to prison. For sure. »
A new summons
Following this conviction, Doris Rakoto, Manandafy’s wife, fears a wave of self-censorship in the small community of activists. ” After what happened, no one will dare to say anything anymore. There is no freedom of expression in Madagascar. A climate of fear and frustration is being established. Frustration with what happens every day in the lives of Malagasy people. And fear of not being able to criticize or even question. »
Several supporters belonging to the political opponent’s circle have already reported threats against them, disseminated via private messages on Facebook, encouraging them to ” to calm down ” and ” stop supporting anti-regimes “.
Monday evening, at 8 p.m., there was a new twist in this affair: the Malagasy activist received a new summons, this time from the criminal investigation section of the gendarmerie. Mahery Mananfady is therefore expected this Tuesday at the premises of the police to be heard after the complaint filed by the national gendarmerie, for contempt and incitement to hatred on social networks. For two years, the Big Island has seen more and more Internet users being arrested because of their publication on social networks.