The former chief of staff to Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina, Romy Andrianarisoa, entered a plea of not guilty on Friday to charges of soliciting a bribe from precious stone miner and Faberge owner, Gemfields in a London court.
Romy Andrianarisoa, aged 46, and her French associate Philippe Tabuteau, aged 54, stand accused of seeking 250,000 Swiss francs ($280,000) and a 5% equity stake in any Gemfield company engaged in mining activities in Madagascar.
Both individuals appeared before the Southwark Crown Court on Friday. Andrianarisoa pleaded not guilty to one count of bribery, while Tabuteau did not enter a plea to the bribery charge.
The charges allege that the pair sought a bribe to ensure the passage of legislation in the Madagascan parliament, which would allow Gemfields to commence mining operations.
Prosecutors revealed during a hearing last month that Gemfields had contacted Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which then deployed an undercover officer to meet with Andrianarisoa and Tabuteau in London.
During one of these meetings, there was reportedly discussion about whether the bribe would be paid “in cash, gems, or gold,” as stated by prosecutor Rosalind Earis.
In response to these developments, Madagascan President Rajoelina’s office released a statement last month confirming Andrianarisoa’s dismissal and reaffirming the president’s commitment to ethical governance and the fight against corruption in state affairs.
