The Madagascan president’s chief of staff has been arrested and charged in London with a bribery offence.
Romy Andrianarisoa, 46, and associate Philippe Tabuteau, 54, are suspected of seeking a bribe to secure licences to operate in Madagascar from UK gemstone mining company Gemfields.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said Andrianarisoa and French national Tabuteau were arrested in Victoria on Thursday afternoon, at a meeting where they are suspected of having attempted to solicit a bribe.
They are alleged to have asked Gemfields to pay £225,000 for a licence to operate in the country alongside a 5% equity stake.
The allegations were reported to the NCA by Gemfields. The pair appeared in court on Saturday where they were remanded in custody, the NCA said.
The pair will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 8.
Joanne Jakymec, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the NCA to charge Romy Andrianarisoa and Philippe Tabuteau with requesting a bribe.
“The CPS made the decision to authorise charges after reviewing a file of evidence from the NCA relating to allegations of bribery."
