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: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Madagascar ex-president sentenced in corruption case

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

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[JURIST] A court in Madagascar on Wednesday convicted former president Marc Ravalomanana of misusing state funds by purchasing a $60 million presidential jet. Justice Minister in the High Authority of the Transition (HAT) transitional government Christine Razanamahasoa announced the decision, saying that the court sentenced Ravalomanana in absentia to four years in jail and ordered him to pay a $70 million fine. A spokesman for Ravalomanana said that the verdict would hinder negotiations aimed at resolving the island's political crisis. Ravalomanana is currently living in exile in South Africa while he seeks international support for a return to Madagascar. Ravalomanana stepped down as president in March, passing control of the government to the military after months of violence in hopes it would run the nation under a military directorate. The military subsequently passed power to Andry Rajoelina, a former mayor of Madagascar's capital city of Antananarivo who had led protests against Ravalomanana's government. Although Madagascar's constitution requires that the president be at least 40 years of age, the High Constitutional Court in March approved Rajoelina's presidency.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on June 03, 2009 (boomark / email).