Sentencing and Charges

Madagascar's former Senate president, Richard Ravalomanana, was sentenced to 10 years of hard labour on Tuesday after a court in Antananarivo found him guilty of complicity in murder. The conviction stems from his alleged role in the deadly crackdown on youth-led protests in September and October 2025.

Ravalomanana, a retired general and close ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, denied the allegations and said he would appeal against the judgement. His defence team said it would challenge the verdict in a higher court.

The Protests and Political Aftermath

The protests began a year ago, initially sparked by anger over persistent power and water shortages, before developing into a broader movement against Rajoelina's government. At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured during the unrest, according to UN figures cited by local media.

The protests eventually triggered a political crisis that led to Rajoelina's removal from power and the installation of a new administration led by Col Michael Randrianirina.

Prosecution's Case

Prosecutors accused Ravalomanana of giving instructions to security forces to use violence against demonstrators. The crackdown was led by the gendarmerie, where Ravalomanana retained considerable influence at the time. A state prosecutor said in December 2025 that he "directed violent actions to suppress the demonstrations".

Defence's Response

Ravalomanana's defence disputed the prosecution's account, saying there was no evidence that he had ordered police, gendarmes or soldiers to use force. A former national police chief who testified at the trial backed his account, saying Ravalomanana was not part of the operational chain of command and had issued no orders to security forces deployed during the unrest.

His lawyer questioned the evidence linking him directly to the violence. "Is there confirmed written or verbal evidence... to accuse him?" he asked the court, arguing that prosecutors had failed to produce proof that security officers had received orders from his client.

Additional Legal Proceedings

The court dropped a separate allegation of making a death threat against Ravalomanana, ruling that the case was too old to prosecute. Ravalomanana is also facing a separate corruption investigation. He is among several senior figures associated with Rajoelina's former government who have faced legal proceedings since the change of power.

Background

Ravalomanana was removed as Senate president in October 2025, shortly after the protests, and was arrested at his home in December after failing to respond to a summons from the gendarmerie. He was later placed in pre-trial detention at the high-security Imerintsiatosika prison outside Antananarivo, where he spent the past seven months.

Known for wearing a cowboy hat and displaying his military medals, Ravalomanana was viewed by some protesters as a symbol of authoritarian power.