The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) announced the arrest and detention of Romy Voos Andrianarisoa, the Civil Chief of Staff of Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina over corruption allegations.
The United Kingdom’s lead agency against organized crime, human, weapon, drug trafficking, cybercrime and economic crime indicated on Monday, August 14, that the Malagasy official was arrested last Thursday, August 10, in London alongside a French man known as Philippe Tabuteau.
The two were reportedly trying to demand kickbacks from representatives of London-based Gemfields Group specialized in the mining, processing, and sale of colored gemstones, in exchange for an exploration license.
The defendants reportedly demanded from the company €260,000 and five percent shares in exchange of the license.
Gemfields is already present in Madagascar through its subsidiary Oriental Mining s.a.r.l. that owns the rights to fifteen exploration licenses covering emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tourmalines, and garnets in Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara provinces.
Oriental has equally been in talks with Malagasy authorities for several other exploration licenses that are pending approval from the Malagasy Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Andrianarisoa and her partner will appear in court on September 8 for a hearing.