Eleven Chinese detainees have disappeared from the Avaradrano prison. The director has been suspended, and responsibilities are yet to be determined.
The director of Avaradrano prison was suspended from his duties following a surprise inspection that revealed the absence of eleven Chinese detainees sentenced by the Malagasy justice system. Several officials are facing administrative sanctions, and an investigation has been launched. However, the Prison Officers’ Union disputes the responsibility attributed to the facility’s staff and points the finger at the Minister of Justice, Fanirisoa Ernaivo, though her accusations of corruption remain to be verified.
The prison administration has announced administrative sanctions and the continuation of the investigation. The Prison Officers’ Union rejects the notion that prison officials could have decided on their release alone. In a statement, the union directly accuses Minister of Justice Fanirisoa Ernaivo of making the prison director a scapegoat. At this stage, these accusations have not been corroborated by any independently verified evidence.
The absence of the detainees was noted during a surprise inspection. In addition to the director, several other officials are subject to administrative measures, including transfers. A thorough investigation is underway to establish individual responsibilities and the circumstances under which the eleven detainees left the facility.
During a press conference in Faravohitra, the Director of Prison Inspection, Jérémie Napou, stated that part of the verification process is complete, while other aspects continue. “All prisons are open to inspections. Regarding the release of these Chinese and Malagasy detainees, we are currently in the middle of an investigation,” he declared. He also mentioned other irregularities found in penitentiary facilities, such as the illegal use of mobile phones in cells.
The Director General of the Prison Administration, Herinirina Roger Rasamoelina, reiterated that the Chinese nationals involved had been sentenced by the Malagasy justice system and should not have been released. “These Chinese nationals were sentenced by the Malagasy justice system. They should under no circumstances have been released, especially by someone who does not have the authority to do so,” he stated. He insisted on the necessity of basing any release on official documents and court decisions, warning that no leniency would be granted in cases of complicity.
The missing detainees were among the 160 Chinese nationals arrested in Madagascar during the dismantling of thirteen online scam networks, an operation conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Chinese Embassy.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-12 06:08:46 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/evasion-le-directeur-de-la-prison.html