Mamy Ravatomanga's Second Bail Bid Rejected After a Year Behind Bars

A Mauritian court has rejected the second bail application of Mamy Ravatomanga, a prominent Malagasy businessman detained at Melrose Prison since October 2025. The Bail and Remand Court handed down the decision on Monday, 12 October 2026 — exactly one year after the military coup in Madagascar that ousted President Andry Rajoelina. Ravatomanga faces three provisional charges brought by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), Mauritius's specialist anti-financial crime agency. His defence team has confirmed it will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. **Nearly a Year Without Trial** In a statement, Ravatomanga's lawyers underlined that their client has been held for almost a year without being brought to trial. They also revealed that investigators have not questioned him since December 2025, raising concerns about the pace of the proceedings. The defence has consistently argued that the case against Ravatomanga is politically motivated, pointing out that legal proceedings in Mauritius began in the immediate aftermath of the October 2025 regime change in Madagascar and were triggered by complaints originating from that country. **The Only Co-Accused Still Detained** A key point raised by his lawyers is that Ravatomanga remains the sole detainee among the four people charged in this case. His three co-accused were granted bail as early as November 2025, just weeks after their arrest. His continued detention, his defence argues, is disproportionate and unjustified. The defence also cited a Supreme Court ruling from March 2026 that it says is relevant to his situation, though the original source does not detail the full content of that judgment. **Background: The Madagascar Connection** Mamy Ravatomanga is a well-known figure in Madagascar's business and political circles, with close ties to former President Rajoelina's government. The October 2025 coup that removed Rajoelina triggered a wave of legal and financial scrutiny of individuals associated with his administration. Mauritius, which hosts a significant number of Malagasy business interests and holding structures, became one of the jurisdictions where proceedings were launched. The Financial Crimes Commission, which brought the charges, is an independent Mauritian body responsible for investigating money laundering, corruption, and related financial offences. **What This Means** For Ravatomanga's legal team, the Supreme Court appeal is now the critical next step. If the appeal fails, he will remain in pre-trial detention while investigations continue. The case raises broader questions about the treatment of foreign nationals held on provisional charges in Mauritius and the timeline expectations for FCC prosecutions. International observers and human rights advocates may scrutinise how the courts balance the right to liberty with the seriousness of financial crime allegations. Source: ION News