Former Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was arrested for money laundering, according to the State Financial Crime Commission (FCC).
FCC spokesman Ibrahim Rossaye confirmed that Jugnauth is currently detaining in a detention center in Moka, central Mauritius.
Following the arrest, FCC detectives conducted a series of searches after a series of searches, including Jugnauth’s residence, where investigators occupied 114 million Mauritius Rupees (about R44 million). Jugnauth’s attorney Raouf Gulbul said his client was temporarily charged with money laundering, but he firmly denied the charges.
The arrest comes after a recent lawsuit by the government to investigate the country’s financial practices. In November, newly appointed Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam began a review of public finances as people worry about the accuracy of data from the previous government. The country’s former central bank governor was also detained last month and later released on bail after facing allegations of conspiracy and fraud.
Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean, known for its offshore financial hub and is often sold for strategic links between Africa and Asia.
