Mamy Ravatomanga, a once-powerful businessman in Madagascar and ally of former president Andry Rajoelina, is at the center of a major corruption trial beginning this week. The case revolves around five Boeing 777 aircraft allegedly routed to Iran through temporary Malagasy registrations to bypass US sanctions. The planes, now operated by Iranian carrier Mahan Air, never physically entered Madagascar but were registered there to facilitate their transit to Iran in July 2025.
Ravatomanga, held in Mauritius, faces charges of money laundering and influence peddling. Co-defendant Singh Khushwinder claimed Ravatomanga received five million euros from the operation, though his lawyers dispute this, citing inconsistencies in the allegations. Investigators from Mauritius and the FBI have gathered evidence, including witness statements and digital recordings, to support the corruption allegations.
The aircraft, originally purchased by Singapore Airlines, were acquired by Ion Aviation, a Florida-registered company, and parked in China before being transferred to Mahan Air. Two of the jets were specifically targeted by US Treasury sanctions in April 2026 for their role in transporting drones and weapons. Prosecutors have cited photographs allegedly taken during a meeting at the Novotel hotel in Antananarivo, which included high-ranking Malagasy officials and Iranian nationals.
Ravatomanga's legal team has questioned the authenticity of the photographs and argued that his pre-trial detention in Mauritius is disproportionate. Mauritian courts have rejected his bail requests, citing concerns that he might flee. The case has drawn parallels to the escape of former Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, as the jet used in Ghosn's escape was linked to a subsidiary of Ravatomanga's Sodiat Group.