High-ranking army and police officers have been apprehended in Madagascar in connection with a botched assassination attempt on the country’s president. Last month, authorities declared that they had foiled a plot to kill President Andry Rajoelina.
Five generals and many current police officers have been detained, bringing the total number of individuals being probed in connection with last month’s thwarted assassination to 21. Authorities also confiscated a pistol and $250,000 (£180,000), according to local media.
The assassination attempt on President Andry Rajoelina was part of the continuing turmoil in the island country. Madagascar has been in lockdown since the Covid-19 epidemic hit last year, and its southern area is suffering from hunger.
Last month, authorities declared that they had foiled a plot to “eliminate and neutralise” several persons, including the president.
It happened just a month after another unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the chief of the national police agency.
According to Attorney General Berthine Razafiarivony, the newest arrests included 12 “active military and police personnel, including five generals, two captains and five non-commissioned officers.”
According to her, four of those detained are former national and international police and military officials, while the remaining five are civilians.
Last week, several locals and tourists were arrested as suspects involved in the plot to kill President Rajoelina. Mr Rajoelina, 47, took control from Marc Ravalomanana in 2009 with the support of the military.
He defeated Mr Ravalomanana in the previous election, which was marred by charges of fraud.
Since achieving independence from France in 1960, the former French colony has had a lengthy history of coups and instability.
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