TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS OF FORMER GOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANTANANARIVO 000249 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E - MBEYZEROV PARIS FOR RKANEDA LONDON FOR PLORD E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2018 TAGS: PGOV MA SUBJECT: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS OF FORMER GOM Classified By: AMBASSADOR NIELS MARQUARDT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Post has obtained a copy of the government order listing 21 individuals associated with the former government who are now subject to travel restrictions pending the outcome of legal proceedings. Post is not aware of any actual charges being brought against these individuals, nor have they been arrested pending investigation; the only restriction, to date, is on their foreign travel (although at least two, former President Ravalomanana, and Minister of Land Reform Marius Ratolojanahary, are already abroad). Over time, the new government may uncover crimes by some members of the former government, but the composition of this list casts doubts on their stated intention to avoid a witch hunt against the old regime. Several of those listed have complained to the ambassador about this action, and the diplomatic community is preparing to raise concerns with the HAT about perceived unwarranted persecution of former officials. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) The order was signed on March 18, 2009, and released to "all Chief of Airport and Port Services of Madagascar", with copies to the High Transitional Authority (HAT) and the security services. It states that those listed are currently the subject of legal proceedings for crimes including premeditated murder, high treason, embezzlement, financial and customs fraud, endangerment of internal security, and/or complicity in such crimes. They are specifically forbidden from leaving the territory of Madagascar. ¶3. (SBU) The individuals named are as follows: - Marc RAVALOMANANA, former President of the Republic - General RAOELINA, former deputy to the Director of Presidential Security - General Alain RANDRIAMORIA, former Director of Presidential Security - Colonel Faly ANDRIAMAMPIADANA, Commander of EmmoReg Ankadilalana - Colonel Faustin RABETOKOTANY, deputy to previous - Frederic RASAMOELY, Governor of the Central Bank of Madagascar - Charles RABEMANANJARA, former Prime Minister - Haja RAZAFINJATOVO, former Minister of Finance and Budget - Jean Louis ROBINSON, former Minister of Youth and Sport - Marius RATOLOJANAHARY, former Minister of Land Reform - Marcel RANJEVA, former Minister of Foreign Affairs - Manasse BEZARA, former Minister of Decentralization - Fenosoa RATSIMANETRIMANANA, former General Secretary of the Presidency - Mamy RANAIVONIARIVO, Vice Admiral, former Minister of Defense - Paul Richard RALAINIRINA, former Minister of Health - Tsehenoarisoa RABENJA, former Minister of the Interior - Harison Edmond RANDRIARIMANANA, former Minister of the Environment, Forests, and Tourism - Jerry RASOLOFOMANANA, unknown - Pierrot BOTOZAZA, former Minister of Transportation - Emile RATEFINANAHARY, (aka "Vazaha),pro TIM demonstration leader - Walter ESPINOZA, former Deputy General Director of JIRAMA (Bolivian national) ¶4. (C) COMMENT: While it is not unreasonable for the GOM to prohibit suspects in criminal cases from leaving the country, the composition of this list, and circumstances of its signing (only one day after the HAT came to power, likely without any evidence or formal charges),cast serious doubt on the HAT's stated intention to avoid a "witch hunt" in the transition period. Ambassador Marquardt has raised this issue, and shared the document, with the UN envoy Drame and key ambassadors in Antananarivo. END COMMENT. MARQUARDT