
Mamy Ravatomanga's defense argues political vendetta in money laundering case
The bail hearing for Malagasy businessman Mamy Ravatomanga continued before the Bail & Remand Court, focusing on the cross-examination of Hans Aleear, Acting Director of Investigations for the FCC. Ravatomanga's defense maintains that the charges against him, including two provisional counts of money laundering and one count of criminal conspiracy related to influence peddling, are politically motivated. During the cross-examination by Me Kushal Lobine, Ravatomanga's lawyer, Aleear stated he was unaware that financial institutions in Mauritius listed Ravatomanga as a Politically Exposed Person PEP. Aleear confirmed that the Sodiat group, of which Ravatomanga is the ultimate beneficial owner, has operated in Mauritius since 1990. Lobine challenged the FCC's claim of significant money transfers before Ravatomanga's arrival in Mauritius on October 12, 2025, arguing that these were normal banking transactions. Aleear maintained that investigations into money trails are ongoing to determine if funds in Sodiat or Ravatomanga's accounts are proceeds of crime. Lobine also highlighted that Interpol refused to publish an international arrest warrant issued against Ravatomanga by Malagasy authorities on February 20, 2026, due to it being deemed "politically tainted." The defense questioned the credibility of two Malagasy complainants whose allegations initiated the FCC investigation, noting one had a prior conviction for illegal gold trafficking and the other, a high-ranking prosecutor,



