[Power Struggle over Mami Ravatomanga] Melrose or Clinic: The Billionaire's Fate Depends on the Court's Decision
The Port-Louis court was the scene of a particularly heated hearing on Thursday, as the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) renewed its request for Malagasy businessman Mami Ravatomanga to be transferred to Melrose prison. The billionaire’s lawyers strongly opposed this, stating that their client, currently hospitalized, remains in a concerning health condition and cannot be moved to a correctional facility.
The FCC's position remains unchanged: the businessman must be transferred to Melrose, as per procedure. Representatives of the institution argue that there is no justification for the suspect to remain in the clinic and that Melrose prison has the necessary facilities to provide adequate medical care. The hearing, marked by numerous exchanges, allowed several witnesses to be heard, including Mami Ravatomanga's treating physician, Dr. Haniff Yearoo, and a Melrose prison officer.
Dr. Yearoo provided details about the businessman’s health. He explained that Mami Ravatomanga suffers from three blocked arteries and that an angiogram has already been performed on two of them. According to him, the patient’s overall condition has worsened in recent days. The doctor stated that his patient has lost nearly ten kilograms in a short time and continues to experience significant pain. These details, presented in court, were used by the defense to support the need to keep the businessman in a hospital setting.
For the defense, transferring Mami Ravatomanga to a correctional facility poses too great a risk. The lawyers stressed their client’s current fragility and the necessity of continuing his treatment in the clinic. They were adamant, arguing that his condition does not allow for any movement, let alone incarceration in a prison environment. They therefore requested the court to reject the FCC's request and allow the ongoing medical treatment to continue.
In response to these arguments, ASP Alex Casimir, representing Melrose prison, painted a different picture. Testifying, he claimed that the prison has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a detainee requiring medical supervision. He specified that the facility has qualified staff, including doctors, and that the installations allow for the care of individuals with various health issues. In his view, the prison is capable of providing the necessary care for a detainee with medical complications.
The divergence between the two parties led to a particularly lively session. On one side, the FCC supports the need for a transfer to Melrose prison in accordance with existing rules, believing that the billionaire's medical situation does not warrant an exception. On the other, the defense insists on the critical nature of his health and the importance of allowing him to remain in a medically-monitored environment until his condition improves.
Magistrate Prashant Bissoon, who is handling the case, listened attentively to the various interventions presented during the hearing. At the end of the session, he announced that his decision would be rendered next Monday. This decision is highly anticipated by both FCC representatives and Mami Ravatomanga's lawyers, each standing firm in their positions.
Until then, the Malagasy billionaire remains hospitalized in the clinic, under the supervision of his medical team. Dr. Yearoo's statements, the defense's firmness, and the affirmations from Melrose prison representatives will be central to the magistrate's decision. The stakes involve both the health of the defendant and compliance with procedures applied in FCC cases. The court will have to balance these two dimensions, as the debates have highlighted the depth of disagreement between the parties.
Next Monday, the magistrate's verdict will bring a temporary conclusion to this confrontation between the FCC's demands and the medical arguments presented by the defense. In the meantime, the discussions and testimonies heard on Thursday remain at the forefront of attention in a case where every detail could weigh in the balance at the time of rendering the decision.
End of Medical Exceptions: The Malagasy Billionaire Transferred to Cell
Mamy Ravatomanga, hospitalized since his arrest, has finally spent his first night in detention at the Moka Detention Centre on Friday. Doctors deemed him fit for incarceration despite his complaints of fragile health. Transferred to a cell under police escort, he underwent the same procedures as any other detainee, including a search and the handover of his personal effects.
