Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius has been granted bail following his recent arrest on money laundering charges, which involved the seizure of 114 million rupees. The court imposed restrictions on his communication regarding the case, and further investigation is ongoing amidst government scrutiny of public finances.
A court in Mauritius has granted bail to former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth following his arrest on money laundering charges. His arrest occurred after investigators from the Financial Crimes Commission conducted searches at his residence and other locations, where they seized 114 million Mauritius rupees, equivalent to approximately $2.5 million.
Magistrate Rishan Chineah stipulated that Jugnauth must refrain from any direct or indirect interference with witnesses and is prohibited from discussing the case with anyone except authorized investigation personnel or the court. He is required to appear in court the following day to finalize the bail process.
In a charge sheet presented to the court, Jugnauth faces provisional charges of money laundering, a claim that his lawyer, Raouf Gulbul, asserts is denied by his client. The recent developments follow a broader scrutiny of government finances, initiated by newly appointed Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who questioned the validity of figures reported by the former administration.
Mauritius is recognized as an offshore financial hub, facilitating connections between Africa and Asia. The incident is part of a trend, as the previous governor of the central bank was recently released on bail after facing his own fraud-related charges.
In summary, former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has been granted bail after being arrested on money laundering charges in Mauritius. The court has placed restrictions on his communications regarding the case, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations as the nation continues to scrutinize its financial governance. This incident highlights ongoing challenges within Mauritius’ political and financial frameworks.
Original Source: gazette.com
