Sun Feb 16 12:59:44 UTC 2025: ## Former Mauritian Prime Minister Arrested in Money Laundering Probe

**Port Louis, Mauritius** – Pravind Jugnauth, Mauritius’ former prime minister, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of money laundering. Police conducted raids on several properties linked to the investigation, seizing large sums of cash and luxury items. Jugnauth, 63, and his wife, Kobita Jugnauth, were initially detained on Saturday and questioned. While Kobita Jugnauth was released, Pravind Jugnauth was formally arrested early Sunday morning.

His lawyer, Raouf Gulbul, confirmed the arrest, stating that Jugnauth denied the allegations and would appear before a judge later that day. Police reports detail the seizure of documents bearing the Jugnauths’ names, luxury watches, and stacks of various currencies from the home of a suspect employed by a local leisure company. Further raids reportedly uncovered suitcases of cash at the residence of a real estate executive.

The arrests follow a request from Mauritius’ Financial Crimes Commission, issued Saturday, urging police to detain the Jugnauths and two other suspects if they attempted to leave the country. The commission cited an ongoing money-laundering investigation.

Jugnauth, who served as prime minister from 2017 to 2024, led the country through a significant milestone: regaining sovereignty over the Chagos Islands after a protracted dispute with Britain. However, his Socialist Movement suffered a decisive defeat in November’s elections, losing to Navin Ramgoolam, who is now serving a third term as prime minister. Ramgoolam’s government has since reopened negotiations with Britain regarding the Chagos Islands, focusing on financial compensation and the lease terms for a joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The US is expected to play a role in the final agreement.

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