The Ambohimanga Rova case surfaced yesterday during proceedings at Anosy court. In the trial of a Belgian couple's murder, two lawyers cited the death of four suspects during a crime scene reconstruction to denounce police violence and contest how certain confessions were obtained. Even in the courthouse corridors, the Ambohimanga Rova case continues to fuel discussion.

The trial, held in courtroom 5 of Anosy tribunal, concerned the murder of a Belgian man and his wife, committed in September 2021 in Mahajanga. The victims' caretaker and a military officer, both prosecuted in this case, were each sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor.

Although distinct from the Ambohimanga Rova case, this trial drew parallels with it. The military officer's lawyer and his court-appointed colleague both invoked the death of four suspects to challenge law enforcement methods and the conditions under which accused persons may be coerced into confessing.

"Mr. President, we have all heard of the Ambohimanga Rova case. Two young women from Manjakaray disappeared before being found murdered at Ambohimanga. Police arrested four suspects who were shot during the crime scene reconstruction. I examined photos of the alleged killers. Their faces were swollen and bore injuries," the lawyer stated.

She continued: "This suggests they suffered police violence. Yet police claim they attempted to seize an officer's weapon, prompting the forces' response. My client also suffered violence during detention. He could not fully exercise his right to defense and eventually confessed."

His colleague, defending the caretaker, cited another case—the murder of Danil Radjan—to illustrate concerns about investigation methods and coerced confessions.

"In that case, investigators filmed the interrogation of a suspect, owner of a security company. Evidence examined by the Criminal Court ultimately established the innocence of the accused in both the first trial and the second, after cassation," he stated.

Authorities' Version

Regarding the murder of Stéphanie Nohasoavina and Haingotiana Rasamison, the Criminal Brigade and prosecutor claimed to have solid evidence against the four suspects. According to authorities, they resisted during the reconstruction organized Saturday morning at Ambohimanga Rova and attempted to seize a weapon, prompting the response of escorting officers.

Yesterday, the bodies of the four suspects remained at the morgue. Among them was a well-known footballer from 67 Ha, former captain of 67 City FC. He had distinguished himself in local tournaments and was named man of the match several times. According to those close to him, his trajectory gradually took a different turn before his alleged involvement in this case.

Gustave Mparany