Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-04-06 02:50:00
Several assets resulting from corruption and embezzlement are at the forefront of seizures made by Arai. In general, they stem from abuse of power. Ill-gotten goods and bank accounts are currently held by the Agency for the Recovery of Illicit Assets (Arai). Close to four hundred individuals are currently caught in the net of justice. According to Aimé Rasoloharimanana, the agency’s director general, these actors are incarcerated in cases of malpractice, embezzlement of public funds, and the use of fake documents in various administrative procedures, such as public procurement. “Most of the seized assets usually come from high-ranking officials, but there are also those belonging to ordinary people. The offenses for which these assets were seized pertain to corruption, abuse, and the use of fakes in relation to public procurement,” he said during the presentation of the Arai’s annual report, yesterday at its headquarters. According to the agency’s top official, cases of embezzlement also face seizure orders from anti-corruption poles. Next comes money laundering.
At present, two hundred and twenty-eight seizure decisions have been issued by the PACs of Antananarivo and Mahajanga. Two hundred and four of them have already been executed by Arai. Most of the targeted actors by these decisions are individuals.
Encouraging results
According to the summary of the annual report, there are over three hundred and ninety-nine individuals affected by these decisions. The seized assets are diverse, ranging from cars, real estate, and even ships. Since its operation in 2023, Arai has established a five-year action plan. For this agency, the results are rather encouraging. A new branch has been set up in Mahajanga and new mechanisms are in place to effectively track these illicit assets. Lobbying for the fight against corruption is also being considered.
Recently, it was also announced that illicit assets will be returned to the treasury. Thus, although the results of this fifth link in the fight against corruption are promising, the fight is gradually taking shape. Arai also carried out two auctions last year. The funds collected from these auctions will be deposited in a special account at the treasury. This is to strengthen the means to fight against this scourge that is undermining the country.
Itamara Randriamamonjy
Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg
