The Madagascan leader’s chief of staff has been apprehended in London on the grounds of seeking a bribe from a precious stone miner Gemfields.
The British and Madagascan authorities had revealed that the presidential aide had also removed the miner from her post on Monday, August 14.
The National Crime Agency, NCA, in Britain had disclosed that Romy Andrianarisoa, the Madagascan, aged 46, and a French partner, Philippe Tabuteau, aged 54, were incarcerated at a meeting in London where they were thought to have sought a bribe to secure licenses to work in Madagascar.
According to an NCA statement, the pair had demanded about 225,000 pounds (approx. $286,000) as upfront charges as well as a 5% equity stake.
Andrianarisoa’s legal practitioner had not responded to requests for comment, and Tabuteau’s lawyer had declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the Madagascan President, Andry Rajoelina’s office had revealed in a statement that the aide had been dismissed with immediate effect.
The President’s office had also revealed it was ignorant of the reasons for Andrianarisoa’s trip to Britain but they acquiesced that she had taken official leave from August 9th to 22.
NCA’s Head of International Corruption Unit, Andy Kelly, had stated that he was grateful to Gemfields for bringing up the matter and cooperating during the investigation.
Mr Kelly had said that the immediate reactions to engage the NCA had been vital to pursuing the case.
The United Kingdom based miner is the owner of the Faberge jewellery brand. She utilises ruby and emerald mines in the southern region of Africa and has been looking into setting up operations in countries in Ethiopia and Madagascar. The owner has declined to comment.
Andrianarisoa and Tabuteau had meanwhile, appeared in court on Saturday, August 12 and were afterwards remanded in custody until their next hearing in London on September 8.
