MAURITIUS’ former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has been released on bail following his dramatic arrest on Saturday on money laundering charges.
He had been detained along with three others after the anti-corruption agency said it had seized suitcases of cash and luxury watches in raids on 10 locations, including Jugnauth’s home.
The former prime minister’s lawyer said he denied the charges against him.
Jugnauth’s arrest came 100 days after his landslide defeat in elections, with his successor Navin Ramgoolam vowing to root out corruption. But few Mauritians expected the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) to move so quickly, or to arrest the former prime minister on such serious charges.
Some people took to the streets of the capital, Port Louis, to celebrate by lighting firecrackers, while a handful of his supporters turned up outside court on Monday to show their solidarity with him, chanting: “Pravin! Pravin!”
His wife Kobita – who is not facing the charges – was released after being questioned for hours by investigators on Saturday.
Her 63-year-old husband spent the night in a detention centre, before a magistrate granted him bail late on Sunday, setting it at $32,000 (£26,000).
Jugnauth’s co-accused – two prominent businesspeople and a deputy mayor – are still in detention, pending the outcome of their bail applications.
Their lawyers have not yet commented on the charges against them.
About $2.4m in local and foreign currencies – including US dollars, euros and UAE dirhams – were seized during the raids, FCC spokesperson Ibrahim Rossaye said.
Seven luxury watches, including five high-end Cartier timepieces, were also confiscated, he added.
As part of his bail conditions, Jugnauth has been ordered not to contact witnesses or to interfere with them.
He must also stay at a fixed address and must inform the police if he decides to relocate.
Jugnauth was the prime minister from 2017 to 2024 and is a member of one of the dynasties that has dominated politics in Mauritius.
Jugnauth oversaw a historic deal with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding the future of the Chagos Islands.
The agreement aims to settle the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the islands, but his successor has accused him of negotiating a bad deal and has reopened talks.