Madagascar Boeing 777 trial begins with 33 defendants

The trial regarding five Boeing 777-200ER aircraft has commenced at the Anti-Corruption Pole (PAC) in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Thirty-three defendants, including individuals and legal entities, are facing charges such as corruption, abuse of functions, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, forgery, and threats to state sovereignty.

Key figures appearing in court include former Minister of Transport and Meteorology Valéry Ramonjavelo, former Senate President Richard Ravalomanana, and former Director General of the Civil Aviation of Madagascar (ACM) Gervais Damasy.

The case stems from the issuance of provisional Malagasy registration certificates for the five aircraft under a project by Udaan Aviation. While the aircraft were intended to undergo maintenance in Kenya, they were instead tracked through Asia and eventually arrived in Iran in July 2025.

In a parallel development, the current Director General of the ACM, Faniry Alban Rakotoarisoa, has requested a parliamentary inquiry through the National Assembly to identify systemic failures and ensure public accountability, noting potential risks of international sanctions for Madagascar if the matter remains unresolved.