Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth of Mauritius was granted bail after his arrest for money laundering, with restrictions on his communication and witness interaction. He denies the allegations, which coincide with an audit of public finances announced by the new Prime Minister. Mauritius continues to deal with financial scrutiny, being recognized as an offshore financial center.
Former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, was granted bail after being arrested on charges related to money laundering. This arrest was made by detectives from the Financial Crimes Commission, who conducted a search of his residence and other locations, resulting in the seizure of 114 million Mauritius rupees (approximately $2.5 million).
At the bail hearing, Magistrate Rishan Chineah imposed restrictions on Jugnauth, including a prohibition against any direct or indirect contact with witnesses. Furthermore, Jugnauth was ordered not to discuss the case with anyone except authorized investigation personnel or the court, and he must return to court on Monday to finalize the bail arrangement.
Jugnauth’s attorney, Raouf Gulbul, stated that his client denies the allegations against him. The public prosecutor provisionally charged Jugnauth with money laundering, as detailed in the court’s charge sheet. In related developments, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced an audit of public finances shortly after taking office.
Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is recognized as an offshore financial hub linking Africa and Asia. Recently, the former governor of the central bank was also detained and subsequently released on bail following conspiracy to commit fraud charges.
In summary, former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth secured bail on money laundering charges while facing significant restrictions on his communication and interaction with potential witnesses. This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of financial practices in Mauritius, especially following the recent change in government leadership. The country’s status as an offshore financial center further complicates the implications of these charges.
Original Source: gazette.com
