Richard Ravalomanana, the former president of Madagascar's Senate, has been sentenced to hard labor for his role in directing the violent suppression of protests that led to numerous deaths and injuries. The verdict was delivered after a trial where prosecutors accused Ravalomanana of "directing violent actions to suppress the demonstrations."
The protests, which began a year ago, initially stemmed from public anger over persistent power and water shortages. The demonstrations evolved into a broader movement critical of the government. According to United Nations figures cited by local media, at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 were injured during the unrest.
The crackdown was reportedly led by the gendarmerie, an organization where Ravalomanana held significant influence at the time. He was removed as Senate president in October, shortly after the protests subsided, and was arrested in December. He spent the last seven months in pre-trial detention at the high-security Imerintsiatosika prison.
Ravalomanana is among several former government figures facing legal action following a change in administration. He is also subject to a separate corruption investigation. His defense team has stated its intention to challenge the verdict in a higher court, questioning the evidence presented by prosecutors and arguing that no direct orders from Ravalomanana to security forces were proven.
A former national police chief testified during the trial, supporting Ravalomanana's account by stating he was not part of the operational chain of command during the unrest. The court dismissed a separate charge of making a death threat, ruling it was too old to prosecute. Ravalomanana, often recognized for his distinctive cowboy hat and military medals, was perceived by protesters as a symbol of authoritarian power.