France Receives No Extradition Demand for Former Madagascar President

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 08, 2003

France Receives No Extradition Demand for Former Madagascar President

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France said on Thursday that it has not received any extradition demand for Didier Ratsiraka, Madagascar's former president who is in exile in France and was sentenced in absentia by a Madagascar court to 10 years hard labor for embezzlement on Wednesday.

"France has not received any complaint or demand of extradition.If new elements take place, they will be examined in accordance with conventions and the French law," said Herve Ladsous, spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry.

"National arrest warrants have been issued for members of the former regime (in Madagascar) following the sentences on Wednesday.France has not been informed of any international arrest warrant for Mr. Ratsiraka," he said.

"Didier Ratsiraka arrived in France in July 2002 with valid passport and visa. He has received provisional permission to stay here," Ladsous added.

On Wednesday, a Madagascar court sentenced Ratsiraka guilty of embezzling 49.25 billion Madagascan francs (about 7 million US dollars) in June 2002, shortly before he went into exile in France.

Ratsiraka had ruled the former French colony with an iron fist since 1975. He lost the presidency to Marc Ravalomanana in the December 2001 elections, but refused to accept the result.

The impasse between the two men split the large island state intwo -- with two capitals, two governments, and a divided army -- and also strained its international relations.

Ravalomanana was officially proclaimed president in May 2002.

Ratsiraka has not made announcements or given interviews since he arrived in France.

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