Two French nationals are among the twenty people accused of plotting to kill Madagascar’s President and other crimes as their trial got underway in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Malagasy politics have historically been violent. Former coup leader Andry Rajoelina, 44, became president in 2019 after a bitter election and a constitutional court challenge from his rival.
The suspects, all of whom appeared in court, were officially charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal association, rebellion against the president, and possession of illegal weapons.
The accused have all denied the charges.
Rafanoharana’s lawyer argued that his client, a French-Malagasy national who is on trial alongside the two French citizens and the other accused, was not receiving a fair trial as it wasn’t open to the public.
“Without a public hearing, not all Malagasy people will be able to follow the trial. It will be easy to put pressure on the magistrates,” he said.
Several of the accused were arrested in July, others in August. Public information about the extent of the plot or how far advanced it was at the time of the suspects’ arrest has been withheld.
