The UK National Crime Agency announced on Monday that the Chief of Staff to Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina was arrested last week and charged with bribery offences. The President’s Chief of Staff, named as Romy Andrianarisoa, and Philippe Tabuteau, a French National, “are suspected of seeking a bribe to secure licences to operate in Madagascar from Gemfields, the UK mining company who first raised concerns to the NCA. The sums they were seeking amounted to CHF 250,000 (approximately £225,000) in upfront charges, as well as a 5% equity stake.”

According to the NCA, the two were arrested “at a meeting where they are suspected of having attempted to solicit a bribe.”

Head of the International Corruption Unit at the NCA Andy Kelly said:

This operation demonstrates the ability of the ICU to capitalise on cooperation from industry. I am grateful to Gemfields for bringing this matter to our attention and for their on-going cooperation with the investigation. Their quick reactions to engage the NCA have been critical to our ability to pursue this case.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Joanne Jakyme added:

The CPS made the decision to authorise charges after reviewing a file of evidence from the NCA relating to allegations of bribery. … It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider.

The defendants appeared at court on Saturday 12th August and were remanded in prison until their next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 8 September.

Gemfields acquired the company Oriental Mining, which had the rights to 15 gem mining licenses in Madagascar, in 2008.

Both Gemfields and The Magascan Embassy in the UK have refused to comment on the matter.