Mauritius arrests ex-central bank governor, finance minister in embezzlement case
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Mauritian former finance minister Renganaden Padayachy (above) was one of two people arrested as part of embezzlement investigations.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PORT LOUIS – The authorities in Mauritius arrested the former finance minister and central bank governor on April 9 as part of an investigation into embezzlement at a state company, said the Indian Ocean island nation’s financial crimes commission.
Former central bank governor Harvesh Seegolam and former finance minister Renganaden Padayachy have denied wrongdoing and did not respond to requests for comment on April 9.
The government of Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has accused the previous administration, under which the two former officials served, of falsifying economic growth, budget deficit and public debt figures for years.
In one of his first moves following his November election victory, Mr Ramgoolam launched an audit of public finances.
“Renganaden Padayachy and... Harvesh Seegolam have been arrested this afternoon following new evidence brought into the inquiry of alleged embezzlement of 300 million Mauritius rupees (S$8.9 million),” the financial crimes commission said.
The embezzlement investigation relates to the alleged theft of funds from the Mauritius Investment Corp, set up to help companies deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. REUTERS
