The president of Ankirihiry’s Market in Toamasina, held in custody at the police station

These are not the first ever charges against Ankirihiry’s Market’s president, Alain José Naharitiana. One month earlier, the case has already led the suspect into custody. The same scene was re-enacted on Friday, and engulfed his wife and his deputy this time around, for being suspected of being involved in it too. According to his supporters, 12 charges are held against the market’s president, part of which the alleged embezzlement of roofs offered by the former republic’s president, the alleged embezzlement of money collected from Ankirihiry’s merchants, and the alleged illegal sale of a commercial facility to someone outside Ankirihiry’s merchant guild, which was held as power abuse. Friday’s verdict was a temporary jail sentence and a law suit to be held on August 19th. His wife and his deputy have been released, though being equally suspected.

HIS SUPPORTERS MIGHT GET A MOVE ON

Let it be recalled that the Commune’s officials did not willingly agree Ankirihiry’s market president’s electoral success. Merchants’ demonstrations supportive of him occurred on a daily basis by then, which finally drove the Commune to pull back. Demonstrations are underway again, now that Alain Jose Naharitiana is behind bars, this time around likely to unite merchants and politicians. Some of these politicians even dared to verbally confront the Commune. The air might get hotter in Toamasina within the coming days