Madagascar’s former Senate president has been sentenced to 10 years of hard labour over his alleged role in the violent crackdown on youth-led protests that helped bring down the previous government last year.
Richard Ravalomanana, a retired general and close ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, was found guilty of involvement in murder by a court in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday.
Prosecutors accused him of giving instructions to security forces to use violence against demonstrators during the so-called Gen Z protests in September and October last year.
Ravalomanana denied the allegations and said he would appeal against the judgement.
The protests began a year ago, initially sparked by anger over persistent power and water shortages, before developing into a broader movement against Rajoelina’s government.
By BBC
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