Former Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has been granted bail by a magistrate in the country’s capital, Port Louis. Detectives from the state-run Financial Crimes Commission had arrested and charged Jugnauth with money laundering after they discovered approximately $2.5 million during a search of his home. The magistrate, Rishan Chineah, prohibited Jugnauth from interfering with witnesses or potential witnesses in the case. Chineah also banned the former prime minister from sharing case details with anyone besides the investigators and the court. Jugnauth is required to appear on Monday to finalize bail proceedings. Last November, current Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam ordered an audit of public finances, citing doubts about the accuracy of the previous administration’s data. Since then, Mauritian authorities have arrested the former central bank governor, who served under Jugnauth, on charges of alleged conspiracy to commit fraud. Meanwhile, the former prime minister has denied the charges leveled against him.
Source: Reuters