Suspects Arrested As Madagascar Foils Assassination Attempt On President Rajoelina

The prosecutor general’s office in Madagascar says it foiled an assassination attempt on President Andry Rajoelina, and arrested several “foreign and Malagasy” suspects.

Two French people are among several arrested in the Indian Ocean island nation on Tuesday “as part of an investigation for undermining state security”, diplomatic sources said.

“Several foreign and Madagascar nationals were arrested on Tuesday, July 20, as part of an investigation into an attack on state security,” said prosecutor Berthine Razafiarivony, in a statement released overnight.

According to Radio France Internationale, the foreigners detained were Paul Rafanoharana, a Franco-Malagasy, and Philippe Francois, a Frenchman.

Rafanoharana was arrested at his house Tuesday evening, according to the media outlet’s unidentified source, while Francois was stopped at Ivato Airport as he was preparing to leave for France.