Latest News

Madagascar president's previous aide imprisoned for providing mining licence for kickbacks

Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina's previous chief of staff was imprisoned for 3 and a. half years by a London court on Friday for providing to help. gemstone miner Gemfields win financially rewarding mining. rights in exchange for considerable kickbacks.

Romy Andrianarisoa, 47, was accused of utilizing her position. and distance to Rajoelina to seek considerable payments from. Gemfields between 2021 and 2023.

You abused your position of considerable trust or. duty as chief of personnel, Judge Christopher Butcher. said while passing sentence.

Andrianarisoa entered contact with Gemfields CEO Sean. Gilbertson in 2021 and offered to help the business expand its. service into Madagascar.

Gemfields, which owns the Faberge jewellery brand name, ended up being. suspicious and approached Britain's National Criminal activity Firm (NCA),. which deployed an undercover officer impersonating a specialist. negotiating on Gemfields' behalf.

Throughout discussions with the purported specialist, referred to as. Charles to protect his identity, Andrianarisoa and her. partner, Philippe Tabuteau, looked for around 270,000 Swiss francs. ( nearly $300,000) between them.

The pair likewise desired a 5% stake in a Gemfields business mine. in Madagascar which, based on evaluations of comparable operations. in Mozambique and Zambia, would be worth around $4 million.

District attorneys stated Andrianarisoa and Tabuteau were both. used payments by Charles in rubies, to make it much easier to. conceal the corrupt payments.

They were arrested in a London hotel last year and each. charged with one count of bribery, after which Rajoelina sacked. Andrianarisoa with immediate result.

Tabuteau pleaded guilty and Andrianarisoa pleaded not. guilty, standing trial at Southwark Crown Court in February.

Andrianarisoa stated in proof that she wanted Gemfields to. get a mining licence for the benefit of Madagascar, informing. jurors: I never ever asked for any payment for myself.

She was convicted and appeared in the dock on Friday. along with Tabuteau for sentencing.

Tabuteau was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months.

(source: Reuters)