Candidate for the next presidential election, Jean-Jacques Ratsietison, member of the Candidates’ Collective, was arrested by the police yesterday late in the morning near Analakely. Placed in police custody for several hours at the criminal research section in Fiadanana, he was released early in the evening.
Videos circulating on social networks show that candidate No. 12 was dragged manu militari like a thug under the arcades of Analakely by dozens of men in fatigues. He was detained for questioning over last Saturday’s protest which led to the arrest of several people. The charges against Jean-Jacques Ratsietison are numerous according to consistent sources, namely attempted coup d’état, contempt of law enforcement, illegal assembly.
Other candidates would also have been in the crosshairs of the police. This was the case for Roland Ratsiraka. The latter remained stuck for several hours in a hotel surrounded by the gendarmes in Tsaralalana yesterday. Upon his exit, he recalled that he is a deputy and therefore benefits from parliamentary immunity.
The arrest of Jean Jacques Ratsietison sparked a wave of indignation from other presidential candidates. The latter had demanded his release as soon as possible, they declared that this arrest will not make them back down in their demand.
Candidate No. 12, whose French nationality was revealed yesterday, also spoke on this point during his release. He clarified that he has held French nationality since his birth, by descent, having been born to a French father. “ I didn’t ask for it I received it thanks to my parents », he explained, while emphasizing that his case is different from that of a naturalization requested as an adult, referring to the case of Andry Rajoelina. “ To obtain naturalization, you will have to make an oath to protect the interest of France “, he said.