August 16, (THEWILL) – The National Crime Agency (NCA), has arrested and detained Romy Voos Andrianarisoa, the Civil Chief of Staff of Madagascar’s President, Andry Rajoelina, over corruption allegations.
The NCA is United Kingdom’s lead agency against organised crime, human, weapon, drug trafficking, cybercrime and economic crime
Adrianariosa was was arrested last Thursday, August 10, in London, alongside a French man, identified as Philippe Tabuteau.
The two were reportedly trying to demand kickbacks from representatives of London-based Gemfields Group, specialised in the mining, processing, and sale of coloured gemstones, in exchange for exploration licence.
The defendants allegedly demanded from the company €260,000 and five percent shares in the company in exchange of the licence.
Gemfields has been already present in Madagascar through its subsidiary, Oriental Mining s.a.r.l., which owns the rights to fifteen exploration licences covering emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tourmalines and garnets in Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa and Toliara provinces.
Oriental equally has been in talks with Malagasy authorities for several other exploration licences that are pending approval from the Malagasy Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Andrianarisoa and her partner are due to appear in court on September 8.
