https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240221/madagascan-presidents-former-chief-of-staff-convicted-of-bribery-in-uk-1065189127.html
Madagascan President's Former Chief of Staff Convicted of Bribery in UK
Madagascan President's Former Chief of Staff Convicted of Bribery in UK
Sputnik Africa
Madagascar's former presidential chief of staff, who went on trial at the Southwark Crown Court this month, pleaded not guilty, saying her actions were for the... 21.02.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-02-21T14:10+0100
2024-02-21T14:10+0100
2024-02-21T14:33+0100
sub-saharan africa
madagascar
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Following a swift and covert investigation led by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), Romy Andrianarisoa, the former Chief of Staff to the President of Madagascar has been found guilty of bribery, the NCA revealed.Andrianarisoa, along with her associate, French national Philippe Tabuteau, faced charges in August 2023 for soliciting substantial sums of money in exchange for facilitating an exclusive mining joint venture with the Government of Madagascar. Tabuteau pleaded guilty in September 2023.In 2021, Andrianarisoa met with Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson and offered to help the company expand its business in Madagascar by using her position as aide to the East African nation's President Andry Rajoelina, the NCA disclosed.In discussions with the consultant, referred to as "Charles" to maintain anonymity, Andrianarisoa and her partner, Tabuteau, sought to secure approximately 270,000 Swiss francs ($310,000) collectively.Suspecting foul play, Gemfields alerted the NCA, triggering an extensive investigation involving surveillance and undercover operations. Over the course of several months, Andrianarisoa persistently demanded illicit payments and even detailed plans to maintain control of the project regardless of political changes in Madagascar.The NCA arrested Andrianarisoa and Tabuteau in London in August 2023. Andrianarisoa was convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on February 20 and sentenced on March 18, 2024.Andrianarisoa, who worked for energy giant BP and Chinese state oil company CNOOC before becoming an adviser to Rajoelina, said in her testimony that she wanted Gemfields to obtain a mining license for the benefit of Madagascar.
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madagascar, east africa, united kingdom (uk), crime, bribe, court, investigation
Madagascan President's Former Chief of Staff Convicted of Bribery in UK
14:10 21.02.2024 (Updated: 14:33 21.02.2024) Madagascar's former presidential chief of staff, who went on trial at the Southwark Crown Court this month, pleaded not guilty, saying her actions were for the good of the East African country.
Following a swift and covert investigation led by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), Romy Andrianarisoa, the former Chief of Staff to the President of Madagascar has been found guilty of bribery, the NCA revealed.
Andrianarisoa, along with her associate, French national Philippe Tabuteau, faced charges in August 2023 for soliciting substantial sums of money in exchange for facilitating an exclusive mining joint venture with the Government of Madagascar. Tabuteau pleaded guilty in September 2023.
"The pair attempted to solicit a bribe from Gemfields, a UK-based company that specializes in the responsible mining of rubies and emeralds, and prides itself on its projects to improve the health, education and livelihoods of those living in communities around their mines," the crime agency said.
In 2021, Andrianarisoa met with Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson and
offered to help the company expand its business in Madagascar by using her position as aide to the East African nation's President Andry Rajoelina, the NCA disclosed.
In discussions with the consultant, referred to as "Charles" to maintain anonymity, Andrianarisoa and her partner, Tabuteau, sought to secure approximately 270,000 Swiss francs ($310,000) collectively.
Suspecting foul play, Gemfields alerted the NCA, triggering an extensive investigation involving surveillance and undercover operations. Over the course of several months, Andrianarisoa persistently demanded illicit payments and even detailed plans to maintain control of the project regardless of political changes in Madagascar.
The NCA arrested Andrianarisoa and Tabuteau in London in August 2023. Andrianarisoa
was convicted by a jury at Southwark Crown Court on February 20 and sentenced on March 18, 2024.
Andrianarisoa, who worked for energy giant BP and Chinese state oil company CNOOC before becoming an adviser to Rajoelina, said in her testimony that she wanted Gemfields to obtain a mining license for the benefit of Madagascar.
