Pravind Jugnauth, the former prime minister of Mauritius, was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of money laundering but was later released on bail. After the anti-corruption agency claimed to have found suitcases full of cash and expensive watches during raids on ten sites, including Jugnauth’s house, he and three other people were placed under arrest.
According to his attorney, the former prime minister refuted the accusations made against him.
One hundred days after Jugnauth’s crushing electoral defeat, his successor Navin Ramgoolam vowed to eradicate corruption, and Jugnauth was arrested.
However, few Mauritians anticipated that the former prime minister would be arrested on such grave allegations and that the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) would act so swiftly.
While some of his supporters gathered outside court on Monday to express their solidarity with him by yelling, “Pravin! Pravin!” others lit firecrackers in the streets of Port Louis, the nation’s capital, to rejoice.
When his successor, Navin Ramgoolam, pledged to end corruption a hundred days after Jugnauth’s humiliating electoral defeat, Jugnauth was taken into custody. But few Mauritians expected the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) to move so quickly and to arrest the former prime minister on such serious charges.
Some of his fans lighted firecrackers in the streets of Port Louis, the country’s capital, to celebrate, while others gathered outside court on Monday to shout, “Pravin! Pravin!” in sympathy with him.
Regarding the accusations against them, their attorneys have not yet responded. According to FCC spokesperson Ibrahim Rossaye, during the raids, around $2.4 million worth of local and foreign currency, including US dollars, euros, and UAE dirhams, were confiscated. He stated that seven expensive watches, including five Cartier clocks, were also seized. Jugnauth has been instructed to refrain from contacting or interfering with witnesses as part of his bail requirements.
Additionally, he has to remain at a specific address and notify the police if he moves. Jugnauth, a member of one of the dynasties that has controlled Mauritius politics, served as prime minister from 2017 to 2024.
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Regarding the future of the Chagos Islands, Jugnauth oversaw a historic agreement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His successor has resumed negotiations after accusing him of negotiating a terrible deal, despite the agreement’s goal of resolving the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the islands.
