Former Minister Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for disturbing public order. Twelve other defendants received one-year suspended prison sentences.
The former Minister of National Education, who is also a deputy for the Irmar group, was sentenced yesterday to five years of imprisonment by the Anosy Court of First Instance. She was prosecuted for disturbing public order after organizing an unauthorized demonstration at the Place du 13 Mai in October 2025 to oppose the movement to establish the refoundation regime.
Twelve other individuals, presented as her accomplices in organizing the gathering, were tried alongside her. The case was examined last week. They were sentenced to one-year suspended prison terms. The deputy was not present during the notification of the verdict, as her lawyers cited health reasons.
Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala and her co-defendants have been in pre-trial detention since January 19, 2026. The former minister is also facing another proceeding for embezzlement of public funds, which has not yet reached a judicial decision. “This case is still under investigation at the Anti-Corruption Pole (PAC),” a judicial source indicated.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-01 05:53:56 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/manifestation-non-autorisee-une.html