Former Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was arrested on Saturday on money laundering charges.
Anti-corruption agencies said he grabbed the suitcase of cash and luxury watches in raids at 10 locations, including Jugnauth’s home, and he was detained with three others.
The former prime minister’s lawyer said he denied the allegations against him.
Jugnauth’s arrest came 100 days after his overwhelming defeat in the election, and his successor, Navin Ramgoolam, vowed to take root in corruption. But few Mauritius hopes that the Financial Crime Commission (FCC) will be arrested so quickly or with such serious charges.
Some went up the streets of the capital Port Louis to celebrate by lighting firecrackers, while a handful of his supporters appeared outside Monday to show their unity with him, shouting: “pravin! pravin!”
His wife, Kobita (who faces no charges) was released hours after being questioned by investigators on Saturday.
Her 63-year-old husband spent the night in a detention centre and a magistrate approved his bail late Sunday, setting it at $32,000 (£26,000).
Jugnauth’s co-defendant – two prominent businessmen and a deputy mayor – is still in custody, ahead of the results of his bail application.
Their attorney has not commented on the allegations against them.
FCC spokesman Ibrahim Rossaye said that during the raid, there were about $2.4 million in local and foreign currencies – including the U.S. dollar, euro and UAE Dirhams.
He added that seven luxury watches were also confiscated, including five high-end Cartier clocks.
As part of the bail conditions, Jugnauth was ordered not to contact witnesses or interfere with them.
He also had to stay at a fixed address and had to inform the police whether he decided to move.
Jugnauth is the Prime Minister from 2017 to 2024 and is a member of one of the dynasties that ruled politics in Mauritius.
Jugnauth is responsible for a historic deal with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the future of the Chagos Islands.
The agreement aims to resolve long-standing sovereignty disputes on the islands, But his successor accused him of negotiating a bad deal and reopened the talks.
