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The Madagascar president’s chief of staff has been charged with bribery in the UK, and the National Crime Agency says he had contacts with a gem mining company.
The NCA said President Andry Rajoelina’s chief of staff, Romy Andrianarisoa, and Andrianarisoa’s colleague, Philippe Tabuto Tabuteau was arrested on Thursday on charges he allegedly paid bribes to British mining company Gemfields for a license in the island nation.
Andrianarisoa, 46, and French national Tabuteau, 54, allegedly sought bribes worth around £225,000 and a 5% stake in Gemfields, according to the NCA, which was informed of the charges.
Andrianariso and Tabutto were arrested Thursday afternoon at a meeting in London when they allegedly tried to solicit bribes, the agency said. The NCA said the arrest followed a “quick investigation into alleged bribery”.
Gemfields has owned Madagascar-based Oriental Mining since 2008, which is licensed to mine precious and semi-precious stones in the country. The company currently holds licenses to mine rubies, emeralds and sapphires there, but the company does not have any operating mines in the country, according to an update from the London- and Johannesburg-listed group. The NCA did not specify which licenses were involved in the alleged crimes.
“I thank Gemfields for bringing this matter to our attention and for their continued cooperation with the investigation,” said Andy Kelly, head of the NCA’s International Anti-Corruption Unit.
“Their quick response to the NCA was critical to our ability to pursue this case.”
The pair have been remanded in custody until a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on September 8. Each was charged with one count of soliciting, agreeing to accept or accepting a bribe under the Bribery Act 2010.
Offenses under the relevant sections of the Act may be punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Gemfields declined to comment. The Madagascar government, Andrianariso and Tabutto did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
There is no indication that charges have been brought against Rajoelina, a DJ and entrepreneur turned politician. He was president from 2009 to 2014 after a military mutiny cost him support and ended a political stalemate.
He won the presidency again in the 2018 election. The first round of the next presidential election is scheduled for November.
Mining has historically been Madagascar’s main industry, contributing most of the country’s inbound investment between 2005 and 2013. However, investment growth has slowed in recent years, partly due to political uncertainty following the 2009 coup.
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