The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is investigating former Madagascan president Marc Ravalomanana for alleged crimes against humanity, according to report on Sunday.
The NPA confirmed on Saturday that initial material it had obtained suggested a “reasonable evidence” that crimes against humanity had alleged occurred, the Sunday Times reported.
Ravalomanana fled to South Africa in 2009, after weeks of tension in Madagascar, exacerbated by his guards opening fire on peaceful protesters killing around 40.
NPA official Bulelwa Makeke said: “ I can confirm that the process of collecting evidence is underway and discussions with the directorate of priority crime investigation have been held.”
This came after a Malagasy group, called the Association of Martyrs of Antananarivo Merina Square, laid a complaint with the NPA through a South African attorney four month ago.
The association submitted a dossier including affidavits by alleged victims, video footage and international reports on what had happened in Madagascar before Ravalomanana was toppled.
Makeke said that the final decision on whether to prosecute rested with the national director of public prosecutions. - Sapa