Pravind Jugnauth: Mauritius ex-PM out on bail after being charged with money laundering
Some people took to the streets of the capital, Port Louis, to celebrate by lighting firecrackers, while a handful of his supporters turned up outside court on Monday to show their solidarity with him, chanting: "Pravin! Pravin!"His wife Kobita - who is not facing the charges - was released after being questioned for hours by investigators on Saturday. Her 63-year-old husband spent the night in a detention centre, before a magistrate granted him bail late on Sunday, setting it at $32,000 (£26,000).Jugnauth's co-accused - two prominent businesspeople and a deputy mayor - are still in detention, pending the outcome of their bail applications. Their lawyers have not yet commented on the charges against them. About $2.4m in local and foreign currencies - including US dollars, euros and UAE dirhams - were seized during the raids, FCC spokesperson Ibrahim Rossaye said. Seven luxury watches, including five high-end Cartier timepieces, were also confiscated, he added. As part of his bail conditions, Jugnauth has been ordered not to contact witnesses or to interfere with them. He must also stay at a fixed address and must inform the police if he decides to relocate.Jugnauth was the prime minister from 2017 to 2024 and is a member of one of the dynasties that has dominated politics in Mauritius.In a sign of the deep dissatisfaction with his administration, his Lepep alliance was routed in November's parliamentary election, winning only two seats compared to the 42 in the 2019 election.Jugnauth oversaw a historic deal with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the future of the Chagos Islands.The agreement aims to settle the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the islands, but his successor has accused him of negotiating a bad deal and has reopened talks.
You may also be interested in:
Is this tiny Mauritian island a confidential spy station?Mauritius government suffers electoral wipeoutA quick guide to Mauritius
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Residents mystified by naked ‘gimp mask' night stalker
Locals in Lytham, on Lancashire's Fylde coast, say the shadowy visitor has left lace curtains twitching with the identity of the mystery streaker wearing a bondage hood the talk of the town. He was first spotted after being captured on a car dashcam on Westby Street, in the heart of the Victorian resort, at just before 1am on Friday July 18. Locals say the clip was then shared on the street's WhatsApp group and more footage from the night was revealed, which was posted on Facebook and has now gone viral. The clips show a young man, calmly striding down the street, naked but for his trainers and black mask. 'It's a gimp mask, I've watched the footage,' said one resident, who did not want to be named. 'I've no idea what he thinks he's doing,' he added. 'In the days after, we saw a young man, fully clothed, walking around the streets, looking up and around, seemingly checking for cameras. 'We think it's the same man.' The resident, who was stood alongside his wife, said he knew of no 'alternative lifestyle' establishments locally which may provide a clue to the mystery. Locals also said Lytham, unlike its close neighbour Blackpool, does not get stag and hen parties visiting the town. Lancashire Police said the incident took place on Westby Street, Cleveland Road and Bannister Street. A spokesman said: 'We are aware of a concerning video circulating on social media of a naked male wearing a face covering walking around Lytham in the early hours of the morning. 'This incident was not initially reported to police and has only been brought to our attention after it has been viewed on Facebook. 'Fylde Rural Task Force are currently conducting CCTV and house‑to‑house inquiries and would like to reassure you that we are taking this matter seriously.' Officers urged anyone with information or relevant CCTV to contact FyldeRTF@
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Paedo councillor flees Scots home after 100-strong mob swarms street as riot cops called in
Police have released a statement on the incident ANGRY MOB Paedo councillor flees Scots home after 100-strong mob swarms street as riot cops called in Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FIVE people were arrested after a mass protest forced cops to remove a paedo councillor from his home. Scores of locals in Methilhill, Fife, took to the streets last night just weeks after David Graham, 43, was convicted for having sexual relations with a schoolgirl. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Officers rushed to the scene around 4.40pm Credit: Facebook 4 Cllr. David Graham taken from fife council website But the demonstration sparked a major police response when people gathered outside what's believed to be a house linked to Graham, who is on bail ahead of sentencing. Officers rushed to the scene around 4.40pm after the alarm was raised and some yobs allegedly targeted them with missiles including eggs and stones. Footage emerged from the protest showing a line of uniformed cops trying to quell an angry crowd where children were present. One man held cardboard signs reading 'No place 4 a beast' and 'toot toot paedo out'. It's believed Graham was hurried into a police van while being escorted by officers holding riot shields. Officers arrested and charged three men, aged 22, 38 and 47, over alleged disorder. The 38-year-old man was also charged over an alleged assault. They have been released and are expected to appear at court at a later date. A 36-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl have been charged over allegedly vandalising property. Graham was found guilty last month of having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. Body of man murdered after he was wrongly identified as paedo lay undiscovered for weeks despite tip-offs to cops The offences took place in the Labour councillor's home, office and car over more than six months. In August 2023, we revealed that he had been arrested and suspended by the party. Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan said: "Violence towards officers while carrying out their duties will not be tolerated and the behaviour they faced last night was unacceptable. "Police officers are also members of the community and it is fortunate someone was not seriously injured. "We understand there are strong feelings in the local area but that is no excuse for violence or disorder. We are particularly concerned with the number of children present last night. "Officers continue to carry out enquiries, including reviewing video footage of the event to identify those who were involved. "There was a protest at the same property on Friday, 1 August, 2025 and officers are also carrying out enquiries in relation to this incident. "My message is that anyone taking part in disorder, or inciting or encouraging others to be involved, should expect to be identified and charged accordingly." 4 A crowd of between 80 and 100 people gathered outside a property on Pirnie Street, Methilhill Credit: Facebook
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Cops arrest man, 42, at Luton Airport getting off flight from Portugal over St Pancras station assault
The man will now be taken into custody for questioning FLIGHT ARREST Cops arrest man, 42, at Luton Airport getting off flight from Portugal over St Pancras station assault Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has been arrested at Luton Airport on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm after an assault at St Pancras station. The suspect, 42, from Bedfordshire, was detained at around 6.30pm after boarding a flight from Faro. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up He was wanted for questioning after leaving the UK to Tenerife on August 29. The man, arrested on suspicion of GHB, will now be taken into custody and interviewed. A British Transport Police spokesperson said: "Officers from BTP have tonight arrested a 42-year-old man from Bedfordshire in connection to an assault at St Pancras station on 28 July. 'The arrest took place at Luton Airport shortly after 6.30pm, following a notification that the man had boarded an incoming flight from Faro. 'The man had been wanted for questioning after leaving the country to Tenerife in the early hours of 29 August following the incident at St Pancras. 'He was arrested on suspicion of GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) and will now be taken to custody for questioning.' 1 He was wanted for questioning after leaving the UK to Tenerife on August 29. Credit: Getty More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
