Pravind Jugnauth, former Prime Minister of Mauritius, received bail after being arrested for money laundering. He is prohibited from contacting witnesses and must appear in court to finalize bail procedures. The government’s recent financial scrutiny follows concerns over data accuracy from the previous administration, highlighting integrity issues in Mauritius’ financial governance.
A court in Port Louis, Mauritius, has granted former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth bail after his arrest on money laundering charges. The arrest occurred following a search by the Financial Crimes Commission at his residence and other locations, resulting in the seizure of 114 million Mauritius rupees (approx. $2.5 million). Magistrate Rishan Chineah mandated that Jugnauth must not interfere with witnesses and is restricted from communicating about the case, except with legal authorities and the court.
Jugnauth’s legal representative, Raouf Gulbul, asserted that his client denies the allegations of money laundering. The court provided a provisional charge sheet detailing the accusations against Jugnauth, who is required to appear in court again for the completion of the bail process. Concerns over government financial accuracy led to newly appointed Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announcing an audit following the prior administration.
Mauritius is positioned as an offshore financial hub connecting Africa and Asia. The recent incident follows the detention of the former central bank governor, who was granted bail after being charged with conspiracy to commit fraud. The ongoing scrutiny of government finances reflects a shift towards greater accountability in the archipelago’s financial dealings.
In summary, the former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, has been granted bail under strict conditions amid serious accusations of money laundering. This legal development is part of a broader investigation into the financial practices of former government officials, reflecting an emerging focus on transparency in Mauritius’ public finances.
Original Source: gazette.com
