Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO1035
2007-10-10 03:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
ARRESTED MALAGASY MAYORS RECEIVE DUE PROCESS
how-toVZCZCXRO5136 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHAN #1035 2830349 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 100349Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0511 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001035
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AND DRL
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC MA
SUBJECT: ARRESTED MALAGASY MAYORS RECEIVE DUE PROCESS
REFTEL: A) ANTANANARIVO 718
B) ANTANANARIVO 434
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001035
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AND DRL
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC MA
SUBJECT: ARRESTED MALAGASY MAYORS RECEIVE DUE PROCESS
REFTEL: A) ANTANANARIVO 718
B) ANTANANARIVO 434
1. The verdicts from the trials of two political opponents of
President Ravalomanana were recently made public. After five months
in pre-trial detention, former Mayor of Tamatave and presidential
candidate Roland Ratsiraka (REF A) was acquitted October 4 of
embezzlement of government funds and failing to record the purchase
of sound systems. He was convicted and sentenced to 18 months of
"suspended" prison time for awarding a bid to his own garbage
collection company.
2. After eight months on the run and less than three months in
pre-trial detention, former Mayor of Fianarantsoa and presidential
candidate Pety Rakotoniaina (REF B) was sentenced October 5 to five
years in prison for embezzlement of government property. He is
still awaiting a decision on the charges of infringement of
electoral laws; offenses against law enforcement officers; and
threatening the life of the Chief of Region.
3. COMMENT: Given their high profile as opposition leaders, many
observers and opposition members have claimed the government
targeted the two men for political reasons. However, Post is
satisfied both were brought to trial in a timely manner and appear
to have received due process. Ratsiraka has already been released
and is celebrating in Tamatave, but the one charge that stuck will
likely hurt his chances in the upcoming December 12 municipal
elections. END COMMENT.
NEUBERT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AND DRL
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC MA
SUBJECT: ARRESTED MALAGASY MAYORS RECEIVE DUE PROCESS
REFTEL: A) ANTANANARIVO 718
B) ANTANANARIVO 434
1. The verdicts from the trials of two political opponents of
President Ravalomanana were recently made public. After five months
in pre-trial detention, former Mayor of Tamatave and presidential
candidate Roland Ratsiraka (REF A) was acquitted October 4 of
embezzlement of government funds and failing to record the purchase
of sound systems. He was convicted and sentenced to 18 months of
"suspended" prison time for awarding a bid to his own garbage
collection company.
2. After eight months on the run and less than three months in
pre-trial detention, former Mayor of Fianarantsoa and presidential
candidate Pety Rakotoniaina (REF B) was sentenced October 5 to five
years in prison for embezzlement of government property. He is
still awaiting a decision on the charges of infringement of
electoral laws; offenses against law enforcement officers; and
threatening the life of the Chief of Region.
3. COMMENT: Given their high profile as opposition leaders, many
observers and opposition members have claimed the government
targeted the two men for political reasons. However, Post is
satisfied both were brought to trial in a timely manner and appear
to have received due process. Ratsiraka has already been released
and is celebrating in Tamatave, but the one charge that stuck will
likely hurt his chances in the upcoming December 12 municipal
elections. END COMMENT.
NEUBERT