Madagascan presidential aide charged with seeking £225,000 bribe in UK

The Madagascan president's chief-of-staff has been charged successful the UK with seeking a bribe from a gem mining firm.

Romy Andrianarisoa and an subordinate are accused of offering the British steadfast Gemfields licences successful Madagascar successful instrumentality for astir £225,000.

She and her associate, Philippe Tabuteau, person been charged with requesting, agreeing to person oregon accepting a bribe.

Both were remanded successful custody aft a little tribunal quality connected Saturday,

Ms Andrianarisoa, 46, and French nationalist Mr Tabuteau, 54, are besides accused of trying to onshore a 5% equity involvement successful immoderate Gemfields Madagascar projects, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The bureau said that the brace were arrested successful the Victoria country of cardinal London connected Thursday day astatine a gathering wherever they were suspected of having attempted to solicit a bribe.

Andy Kelly, the NCA's caput of planetary corruption, said: "I americium grateful to Gemfields for bringing this substance to our attraction and for their ongoing practice with the investigation."

Ms Andrianarisoa and Mr Tabuteau appeared successful tribunal connected Saturday and person some been remanded successful custody to adjacent look astatine Southwark Crown Court connected 8 September.

The NCA did not specify what licences the alleged offences related to.