Fifty Chinese nationals convicted in Madagascar for online fraud left the island nation on September 7. Held at the Avaradrano Central Prison, they were transferred to China to serve the remainder of their sentences, the Malagasy Ministry of Justice announced.
The sentences handed down to them range from two to ten years imprisonment. Their transfer constitutes a first step within the framework of a judicial cooperation mechanism between Madagascar and China, aimed in particular at strengthening the fight against transnational crime.
According to Malagasy authorities, this operation was carried out with the support of Interpol and the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar. It also involved the Ministry of Public Security, which was responsible for ensuring the security of the operation.
The group left Madagascar bound for China, with a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The authorities state that the operation was carried out in compliance with applicable legal provisions and judicial procedures.
They also indicate that this first transfer should not be the last: other waves of repatriation of prisoners are planned within the framework of this cooperation.
This move comes a few weeks after a decision by the Malagasy Council of Ministers. On August 4, the government approved Madagascar's accession, following a Chinese proposal, to an international mechanism dedicated to combating scams using telecommunications and digital platforms.
Through this rapprochement, Antananarivo and Beijing intend to strengthen their cooperation in the face of fraud networks operating beyond borders.
Djamila Kambou
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