Romy Andrianarisoa, the former chief of staff of the Malagasy president, appeared free on Saturday, August 3, on the TV5 Monde channel and promised her imminent return to Madagascar. Two months earlier, the former right-hand man of Andry Rajoelina had been sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison by the British courts for flagrant corruption. Faced with the justifications of the person concerned delivered on French television on Saturday evening, and the absence of any British reaction, skepticism and questions were raised in Madagascar.
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Her Conviction by London judges had made a date on May 10, 2024. I am totally cleared ” And “ free ” now assures Romy Andrianarisoa who justifies this decision by a ” exceptional driving ” during his detention.
In the absence, for the moment, of any official communication from the British authorities, this version of events, like the circumstances of his release, raises questions.
It should be noted that the former chief of staff of the presidency, detained for almost 11 months, has served a quarter of the total length of her sentence, the minimum period required to be able to activate the so-called early release mechanism provided for in British law for foreign prisoners.
“ There is no bleaching »
As the United Kingdom, faced with a major crisis in its prisons, multiplies efforts to reduce its prison population, Romy Andrianarisoa could have benefited from it, believes Aurélien Antoine, professor and specialist in English law.
” This white-collar crime often benefits from this type of sentence reduction, which does not mean that they are released without supervision. In the case of the person concerned [Romy Andrianarisoa]it will not be intended to remain on British territory, for example. Obviously, there is no money laundering. It is not because you leave prison that the acts that you were accused of and which led to having to serve a sentence have disappeared. »
” The opportunity to take action against corruption ” in Madagascar
Ketakandriana Rafitoson, a member of the anti-corruption association Transparency International – Initiative Madagascar regrets the signal sent by this decision. The executive director of Publish What You Pay, a global movement committed to transparency in the mining sector, is among the voices calling for an investigation in Antananarivo into the Romy affair. This is the opportunity, or never, for the Republic of Madagascar to activate this anti-corruption justice. We have laws here in force, we have specialized jurisdictions. We might as well make use of them now, otherwise it will be a sign that we live in a completely rotten system. »
Contacted by RFI, Lova Ranoromaro, the spokesperson for the Malagasy presidency, assures that the remarks made by Romy Andrianarisoa ” only engage his own person “. And to recall that ” The President of the Republic is in no way involved in this affair and is actively pursuing his fight against corruption in all its forms. “.
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