Madagascar High Constitutional Court rules on prosecution of former officials

The High Constitutional Court (HCC) of Madagascar has issued a decision regarding the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Pole (PAC) to prosecute former government officials. The ruling follows requests concerning several high-profile figures involving allegations of abuse of power and corruption.

Cases involve former President Andry Rajoelina regarding the use of a state-managed sovereign fund, as well as former Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, former Minister of Mines Fidiniavo Ravokatra, and former Minister of Justice Herilaza Imbiky, who are linked to the suspected embezzlement of 36 kg of gold in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, former Minister of Economy and Finance Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison and former Minister of National Education Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala are implicated in separate matters, including a public procurement case involving school chairs.

While addressing these matters, the HCC specified that the High Court of Justice (HCJ) maintains competence for judging cases related to political responsibility and criminal offenses attributed to the former leaders in question.