Former Minister Rolly Mercia sentenced 3 years and 8 months in prison

The former Minister of Communication and Relations with Malagasy institutions, Harry Laurent Rahajason alias Rolly Mercia is sentenced to 3 years and 8 months of imprisonment.The court verdict fell yesterday in the morning, after two days of trial and after three months of preventive detention.This former journalist who held the position of communications director of the presidency during the 2009 transition, is convicted of complicity in unrest and damage to the security of the State.

In July, the police carried out a search at his home following a student demonstration in the AmboHipo district, demanding the liberation of Berija Ravelomantsoa.The latter was arrested and imprisoned for cybercrime cases in which he is accused of defamation and damage to the security of the State.

A megaphone would have been seized at the home of this former minister during the search, and would have constituted a mobile to his conviction.Four people, directly involved in the demonstration, being the main players in the movement, also receive the same penalty, just like Berija Ravelomantsoa whose verdict was pronounced by the court 15 days ago.

Rollymercia was politically engaged with the Rajaonarimampianina regime after the transition presented by Andry Rajoelina.This conviction marks his true divorce from the political figures he has known before and during the transition.