[JURIST] Former president of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana [BBC profile] was arrested on Monday when he returned to the country after five years of living in exile in South Africa. Tear gas was fired and security forces were seen outside his house before he was detained, a BBC reporter stated [BBC report]. Ravalomana had made several attempts to return to Madagascar since his exile after a military coup in 2009, but was continuously denied entry by interim President Andry Rajoelina [BBC profile]. Authorities feared that his returning could possibly bring more instability to the country and lead to yet another coup. Current President Hery Rajaonarimampianina said [Reuters report], Ravalomanan was placed in custody for his own safety.

Political unrest has plagued Madagascar for quite some time, as the country has a long history of conflicts and coups. In August 2012 South African prosecutors began investigating [JURIST report] Ravalomanana for possible crimes against humanity. A spokeswoman for Ravalomanana stated that she believed the allegations were politically motivated to prevent him from proceeding with talks with the Rajoelina. In March 2012 a Madagascar court began the trial [JURIST report] of former International Court of Justice judge Raymond Ranjeva who was accused of planning an attempted coup in the country. The judge was later acquitted. In November 2010 there was an attempted coup during a constitutional referendum [JURIST reports].