Latest news with #Jugnauth
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mauritius deep in corruption scandal as Macron visits
File Photo PORT LOUIS: With a former minister and central bank director embroiled in financial scandal, the island idyll of Mauritius is in political turmoil as French President Emmanuel Macron visits this week. At the centre of the mess is ex-finance minister Renganaden Padayachy, who was until recently seen as a key figure in making Mauritius one of Africa's few economic success stories. Right-hand man to the recently ousted ex-prime minister Pravind Jugnauth, Padayachy was arrested last week, accused of defrauding the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC), a firm set up to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, of some $8 million. Harvesh Seegolam, former head of the central bank, which controlled the MIC, is also under investigation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Padayachy's party, the Militant Socialist Movement, has hit back, accusing the new government which took power in November of using the judiciary to "neutralise" the opposition. A close associate of Padayachy, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, claimed it was part of "a vendetta" against the former premier, Jugnauth. 'Mafiosi' Two dynasties have dominated Mauritian politics since its independence from Britain in 1968. Jugnauth, 63, succeeded his father after his death in 2017. He was heavily defeated in November by Navin Ramgoolam, 77, who had already served twice as prime minister, and whose father was the country's first post-independence leader. Ramgoolam has branded his rival's former government "mafiosi", alleging they "acted as if Mauritius belonged to them". He himself was prosecuted in 2015 for obstruction of justice and money laundering -- but says those charges were "political revenge". Mauritius is often seen as a model of stability and prosperity in Africa, but analysts have pointed to rising corruption and the political capture of institutions. A wire-tapping scandal last year in which the private conversations of senior politicians, police and business figures were released online, suggested wrongdoing at the highest levels. In February, Jugnauth was arrested as part of a money-laundering investigation, and is currently out on bail. Documents bearing his name were found at the homes of two suspects, along with luxury watches and suitcases of cash. "This isn't revenge, it's a clean-up. We need to clean up the republic," Ramgoolam told parliament. 'Melting like butter' The accusations could have an economic impact for Mauritius, where banking has been a major driver of its move into high-income status. The country has long been accused of facilitating tax evasion, but has made efforts to tackle money-laundering and terrorism-financing, earning its removal from the European Union's so-called "grey list" of high-risk countries in 2022. "What made us strong -- transparency, stability, and seriousness -- is melting like butter in the sun," said a foreign investor, who did not wish to give his name for fear of repercussions. Roshi Bhadain, a former minister of financial services and good governance in Jugnauth's government, who has now set up his own party, said the country could not simply rely on its exotic image and tourism industry. "We can no longer hide behind coconut trees," he told AFP. "Either we clean up, or we go under." Macron arrives in Mauritius on Thursday, where he will stay for 24 hours as part of a regional tour. Padayachy also holds French nationality so "France is closely monitoring compliance with procedural rights in this case," according to a French diplomat, also speaking on condition of anonymity. "But France will also be careful not to be perceived as interfering in the legal proceedings of a sovereign state."
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mauritius ex-PM bailed after 'suitcases of cash' arrest
Mauritius' former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has been released on bail following his dramatic arrest on Saturday on money laundering charges. He had been detained along with three others after the anti-corruption agency said it had seized suitcases of cash and luxury watches in raids on 10 locations, including Jugnauth's home. The former prime minister's lawyer said he denied the charges against him. Jugnauth's arrest came 100 days after his landslide defeat in elections, with his successor Navin Ramgoolam vowing to root out corruption. But few Mauritians expected the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) to move so quickly, or to arrest the former prime minister on such serious charges. Some people took to the streets of the capital, Port Louis, to celebrate by lighting firecrackers, while a handful of his supporters turned up outside court on Monday to show their solidarity with him, chanting: "Pravin! Pravin!" His wife Kobita - who is not facing the charges - was released after being questioned for hours by investigators on Saturday. Her 63-year-old husband spent the night in a detention centre, before a magistrate granted him bail late on Sunday, setting it at $32,000 (£26,000). Jugnauth's co-accused - two prominent businesspeople and a deputy mayor - are still in detention, pending the outcome of their bail applications. Their lawyers have not yet commented on the charges against them. About $2.4m in local and foreign currencies - including US dollars, euros and UAE dirhams - were seized during the raids, FCC spokesperson Ibrahim Rossaye said. Seven luxury watches, including five high-end Cartier timepieces, were also confiscated, he added. As part of his bail conditions, Jugnauth has been ordered not to contact witnesses or to interfere with them. He must also stay at a fixed address and must inform the police if he decides to relocate. Jugnauth was the prime minister from 2017 to 2024 and is a member of one of the dynasties that has dominated politics in Mauritius. Jugnauth oversaw a historic deal with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the future of the Chagos Islands. The agreement aims to settle the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the islands, but his successor has accused him of negotiating a bad deal and has reopened talks. Is this tiny Mauritian island a confidential spy station? Mauritius government suffers electoral wipeout A quick guide to Mauritius Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
17-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Pravind Jugnauth: Mauritius ex-PM out on bail after being charged with money laundering
Mauritius' former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has been released on bail following his dramatic arrest on Saturday on money laundering charges. He had been detained along with three others after the anti-corruption agency said it had seized suitcases of cash and luxury watches in raids on 10 locations, including Jugnauth's former prime minister's lawyer said he denied the charges against him. Jugnauth's arrest came 100 days after his landslide defeat in elections, with his successor Navin Ramgoolam vowing to root out corruption. But few Mauritians expected the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) to move so quickly, or to arrest the former prime minister on such serious charges. Some people took to the streets of the capital, Port Louis, to celebrate by lighting firecrackers, while a handful of his supporters turned up outside court on Monday to show their solidarity with him, chanting: "Pravin! Pravin!"His wife Kobita - who is not facing the charges - was released after being questioned for hours by investigators on Saturday. Her 63-year-old husband spent the night in a detention centre, before a magistrate granted him bail late on Sunday, setting it at $32,000 (£26,000).Jugnauth's co-accused - two prominent businesspeople and a deputy mayor - are still in detention, pending the outcome of their bail applications. Their lawyers have not yet commented on the charges against them. About $2.4m in local and foreign currencies - including US dollars, euros and UAE dirhams - were seized during the raids, FCC spokesperson Ibrahim Rossaye said. Seven luxury watches, including five high-end Cartier timepieces, were also confiscated, he added. As part of his bail conditions, Jugnauth has been ordered not to contact witnesses or to interfere with them. He must also stay at a fixed address and must inform the police if he decides to was the prime minister from 2017 to 2024 and is a member of one of the dynasties that has dominated politics in a sign of the deep dissatisfaction with his administration, his Lepep alliance was routed in November's parliamentary election, winning only two seats compared to the 42 in the 2019 oversaw a historic deal with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the future of the Chagos agreement aims to settle the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the islands, but his successor has accused him of negotiating a bad deal and has reopened talks. You may also be interested in: Is this tiny Mauritian island a confidential spy station?Mauritius government suffers electoral wipeoutA quick guide to Mauritius Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Russia Today
17-02-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Former Mauritius Prime Minister arrested
Former Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has been arrested on charges of money laundering, the East African island country's Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) announced on Sunday. The detention came a day after the FCC said its officers were conducting searches at Jugnauth's home and several other locations. Investigators discovered and seized 114 million Mauritius rupees ($2.4 million) after inspecting various locations, including the former official's residence, Reuters reported, citing the FCC. 'Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, former Prime Minister, has been arrested under a charge of money laundering. He will be detained at Moka Detention Centre,' the state-owned agency said in a statement on Sunday. Jugnauth denies the charges, his lawyer, Raouf Gulbul, told reporters early Sunday. In an interview with Bloomberg on Monday, Gulbul said the ex-prime minister was released Sunday night after hours of detention. 'Today he will furnish the bonds set by the court,' the attorney stated. READ MORE: Ruling party suffers 'huge' defeat in East African state Jugnauth had been the premier of the Indian Ocean archipelago from 2017 until losing a reelection bid for a second five-year term to the opposition in November. His administration was widely accused of corruption after recordings of politicians and business owners were leaked online days before the election. Since taking office, the African nation's new prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, has been critical of the previous government's handling of the economy. In November, Ramgoolam ordered an audit of the finance ministry, accusing it of providing 'wrong' data to 'convey a false sense of economic progress.' READ MORE: The real Lion King: Who was the founder of the richest African empire? Last month, the former governor of the Bank of Mauritius, Harvesh Seegolam, was detained and charged with conspiracy to defraud. He was eventually released on bail after the case was filed in court. In December, Ramgoolam criticized the central bank for printing money to fund the Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC), which the previous administration established in 2020 to support businesses dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a report to parliament, the prime minister described the move as 'an irresponsible act,' claiming that it had 'deleterious effects on the monetary system, more so that the banking system was already flush with excess liquidity.'
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Watch: Chagos mastermind appears in court after arrest in money-laundering probe
Credit: @jlmootoosamy Pravind Jugnauth, the former prime minister of Mauritius and architect of the controversial Chagos deal, has appeared in court after being arrested as part of a money laundering investigation. A video on Sunday showed Mr Jugnauth being guided through a car park and into a courthouse by what appeared to be plain-clothes police officers. One looked to be carrying a black bin bag containing the 63-year-old's belongings. It comes after the former prime minister was questioned by investigators overnight, and after stacks of cash were seized in raids on fellow suspects' homes. An earlier clip shared online showed Mr Jugnauth arriving at a police station, along with his wife. The former prime minister's arrest is the latest blow to Sir Keir Starmer's planned Chagos Islands handover agreement he signed with Mr Jugnauth in October. The deal, which would hand the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius while maintaining a lease on Diego Garcia, is projected to cost taxpayers between £9 billion and £18 billion over the coming decades. Mr Jugnauth and his family were summoned to the offices of the Mauritius Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) on Saturday following a three-hour search of his residence. His interrogation extended into the early hours of Sunday, concluding at around 2am. His wife, Kobita, who was also detained, was later released. The former prime minister was transferred to Moka detention centre before being escorted to the bail and remand court on Sunday morning. Authorities had earlier raided the home of a close associate of Mr Jugnauth, where they reportedly discovered suitcases filled with tens of thousands in cash, spanning more than a dozen currencies, along with luxury items including Rolex and Cartier watches, and UK visas. Police have arrested Mr Jugnauth's associate Josian Laval Deelawon and his chief financial officer Chandradeo Nitish Oomah. They have been remanded into police custody until Monday. The FCC has objected to Mr Jugnauth's release on bail. However, his lawyer Raouf Gulbul, filed a motion for conditional release. The motion will be debated on Sunday afternoon. Mr Gulbul dismissed the allegations against his client, insisting no incriminating evidence was found at his client's residence. 'My client has categorically rejected the allegations against him,' Gulbul told The Telegraph. 'The FCC officers, armed with a warrant, searched his home for over three hours. They seized mobile phones belonging to him and his wife, a tablet, and a digital video recorder from his CCTV system for analysis. However, they found no money or illicit items.' The probe centres around the seizure of 120 million Mauritian rupees (£2 million) from two individuals, one of whom allegedly claimed that Mr Jugnauth had asked him in January to hold money on his behalf. The second individual, a woman named Devianee Ramchurn, deputy mayor of the municipality of Vacoas, was accused of delivering suitcases of cash to the man's home. She is also under arrest. Mr Jugnauth has strongly denied any involvement. 'Yes, I know him, but I have never asked him to keep the money for me,' Mr Gulbul quoted the former prime minister as telling the investigators. The woman in question also refuted the allegations, insisting she had never transported money for Mr Jugnauth, he said. 'This entire case is built on a single allegation,' Mr Gulbul said. 'There is no corroborating evidence, no admission from the woman, and no proof that she delivered any money. Yet, my client has been arrested. We are confident that, given the weakness of the case, he will be granted bail.' The hearing on his bail application is set to take place later on Sunday. Mr Jugnauth, whose father also served as prime minister and president of Mauritius, lost an election in November, a month after the Chagos deal was struck. His successor, Navin Ramgoolam, has criticised the agreement. Sir Keir took calls with Mr Jugnauth in the first months of his government as they negotiated the handover. He and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, also met him at the Foreign Office a few weeks after the general election. In 2022, Mr Jugnauth attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London, and was photographed greeting the King. No charges have been brought against Mr Jugnauth, whose supporters gathered outside the FCC headquarters to protest against his interrogation. On Saturday, the Mauritian FCC also issued an alert freezing the passports of Mr Jugnauth, his wife, brother-in-law and the associate. It is the latest blow to Britain's planned Chagos Islands handover. Diego Garcia has been the site of a large UK-US military base since the 1970s. Senior figures in Donald Trump's administration including Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, have criticised the deal for ceding a strategically important possession to a country that is close to China. Asked about the arrest, Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, dismissed claims that the Chagos Islands deal would have to be put on pause as a result. He told Camilla Tominey on GB News: 'Negotiation with the Chagos Islands is about securing the long term future of an incredibly important UK-US military base. 'That's what the deal is seeking to achieve. It's why the previous government began negotiations around it, and what matters to me is making sure, for our national security, that long-term position is upheld.' Mr Reynolds added: 'There's been a lot of commentary on what that deal is. When it's finished, it will be published in the usual way. But let's not lose sight of what we're trying to do here. We're trying to secure the long term future of an essential facility.' The Cabinet minister also appeared to dispute that the deal would cost £18 billion, a widely reported figure which the Prime Minister has failed to deny twice in the Commons. Sir Keir has also defended the deal as providing 'legal certainty' for the future of the base after a UN court ruled in 2019 that the UK had no right to occupy the islands. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
