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Richard Ravalomanana sentenced to 10 years of forced labor
Richard Ravalomanana, the former President of the Senate in Madagascar and a retired general, has been sentenced to 10 years of forced labor by a criminal court in Antananarivo. The verdict follows his conviction for complicity in murder and voluntary assault.
The charges stem from the violent suppression of youth-led protests that occurred in September and October 2025. Prosecutors argued that Ravalomanana used his significant influence within the gendarmerie to direct security forces to use violence against demonstrators. According to United Nations data, the unrest resulted in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries.
During the trial, the defense denied that Ravalomanana issued direct orders to police or military personnel. While a charge regarding death threats was dismissed due to the statute of limitations, the court upheld the convictions related to the 2025 crackdown. Ravalomanana, a close ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, has announced his intention to appeal the decision.
Entities
Andry Rajoelina · Antananarivo · Gendarmerie Nationale · Madagascar · Richard Ravalomanana · United Nations
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Richard Ravalomanana was sentenced to 10 years of forced labor. jornalmz.com · www.nasuba.info · tanikomadagascar.com · agpgabon.ga · www.koolsaina.com · +4 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The crimes were linked to the repression of protests in September and October 2025. jornalmz.com · www.nasuba.info · tanikomadagascar.com · agpgabon.ga · www.koolsaina.com · +4 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The charge of death threats was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. bamada.net · madagascar-tribune.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The court found Ravalomanana guilty of complicity in murder and voluntary assault. jornalmz.com · www.nasuba.info · tanikomadagascar.com · agpgabon.ga · www.koolsaina.com · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] UN data indicates at least 22 people died during the protests. jornalmz.com · agpgabon.ga · election-net.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ravalomanana's defense announced an intention to appeal the sentence. jornalmz.com · www.koolsaina.com · bamada.net · election-net.com · madagascar-tribune.com