Madagascar detains French former serviceman over alleged mutiny plot
ANTANANARIVO, April 29 (Reuters) – Madagascar has arrested a former French soldier accused of participating in a plot to destabilize the Indian Ocean island, including inciting security forces to mutiny and sabotaging infrastructure that caused power outages across the country, officials said.
Separately, Madagascar’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that an agent at the French embassy in Antananarivo had been declared persona non grata for actions incompatible with diplomatic status and thought to be linked to a destabilization investigation.
Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world, is a former French colony that maintains close political ties with France and has had a history of instability in recent years.
The country’s military ruler, President Michael Randrianirina, seized power in October last year following a wave of youth-led protests against his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina.
The French embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
SUSPECTS, PLANNING EVIL, REBELLION
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nomenarinera Mihamintsoa Ramanantsoa said in a video statement released late Tuesday that former French national soldier Guy Baret was detained in pre-trial custody at Tsiafahy maximum security prison.
He said Colonel Patrick Rakotomamonjy, a Malagasy officer, and other accomplices were also involved.
According to Ramanantsoa, ”prosecutors charged the suspects with spreading false information to disrupt public order, conspiring to sabotage infrastructure, including power lines and thermal power plants operated by the state utility Jirama, harboring wanted persons, and criminal conspiracy.”
The group initially planned actions set for April 18, including power outages, disruption of traffic, efforts to incite security forces to revolt against state institutions and mobilize youth to create unrest, officials said.
Prosecutors cited as evidence a WhatsApp group called “tolom-piavotan’ny olom-banona” (“Revolution of Brave Citizens”), which they said was used to plan the operation.
The foreign ministry said French Ambassador Arnaud Guillois was summoned and informed of the decision against the embassy agent. He did not identify the representative or specify the actions in question.
Reuters was not immediately able to contact the suspects or identify their lawyers.
Rakotomamonjy is awaiting appearance before the investigating judge. While the other two suspects were placed in judicial custody, prosecutors said they did not appear to be the masterminds of the plot.
(Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary; Writing by George Obulutsa and Vincent Mumo Nzilani; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
