Port Louis, Feb 17 - Former Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, has been granted bail by a court after his arrest on money laundering charges. Detectives from the state-run Financial Crimes Commission searched multiple locations, including his home, to seize 114 million Mauritius rupees ($2.5 million).
Magistrate Rishan Chineah at the bail and remand court in the capital, Port Louis, stated, "He (Jugnauth) shall not interfere directly or indirectly with any witness or potential witness." Jugnauth was also prohibited from discussing the case with anyone except investigation authorities or the court, and was instructed to appear for further bail procedures on Monday.
Jugnauth's lawyer, Raouf Gulbul, stated that his client refuted the allegations. The public prosecution director informed the court that Jugnauth was temporarily charged with money laundering.
In November, Mauritius' new Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam, ordered a public finance audit after expressing concerns about the accuracy of data compiled by the prior administration. Recently, the former central bank governor of the country was briefly detained and subsequently released on bail on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Mauritius, situated in the Indian Ocean, is known as an offshore financial hub positioning itself as a connection between Africa and Asia. ($1=46.1700 Mauritius rupees)