Madagascar: President’s Chief of Staff arrested by British Crime Agency over corruption

The National Crime Agency (NCA), the United Kingdom’s lead agency against organized crime, human, weapon, drug trafficking, cybercrime and economic crime has arrested and detained Romy Voos Andrianarisoa, the Civil Chief of Staff of Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina over corruption allegations.

The Malagasy official, the agency indicated Monday August 14, was arrested last Thursday August 10 in London alongside a French man known as Philippe Tabuteau. The two were reportedly trying to demand kickbacks from representatives of London-based Gemfields Group specialized in the mining, processing, and sale of colored gemstones, in exchange for exploration license.

The defendants reportedly demanded from the company €260,000 and five per cent shares in the company in exchange of the license.

Gemfields has been already present in Madagascar through its subsidiary Oriental Mining s.a.r.l. that owns the rights to fifteen exploration licenses covering emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tourmalines, and garnets in Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara provinces.

Oriental equally has been in talks with Malagasy authorities for several other exploration licenses that are pending approval from the Malagasy Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Andrianarisoa and her partner will appear in court on September 8 for hearing.