Domestic
Mahatony-Ivandry Search: Victims Denounce Extortion by High-Ranking Officials
On April 23, 2026, the home of couple Johan and Soamiadana Andrianjafy in Mahatony Soavimasoandro, near Ivandry district, was searched. To date, the family says the home remains inaccessible. Search, sealed home, departure from the country, and abuse of power complaint—the case involving the Andrianjafy couple against those they claim are responsible for their situation is taking a new turn. Nearly five months after the search conducted on April 23, 2026 at their Mahatony Soavimasoandro home near Ivandry, the family maintains they still cannot access their house. "We are currently unable to enter our home," Johan Andrianjafy states. According to the couple, the home has been sealed since the search and remains inaccessible to this day. The defense has decided to file a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Unit (PAC). A complaint against unknown parties for abuse of power has been filed, according to the couple's lawyer, Me Fanomezantsoa Heriniaina. "We are basing ourselves on the information we have and we filed a complaint against unknown parties with the PAC," he explains. The defense also claims to have requested the removal of the seals without receiving a response to date. For the Andrianjafy couple, the matter extends beyond judicial proceedings. Soamiadana Andrianjafy states that the family was forced to leave Madagascar on the day of the search itself. "On the day of the search, we were forced to flee the country," she maintains. Currently living outside Madagascar, Johan and Soamiadana Andrianjafy say they do not feel safe. "We do not feel safe; we remain targets of threats," the couple states. The defense points to the involvement of influential individuals in this matter. "This is a group of people with power, whom we are unable to identify," declares Me Fanomezantsoa Heriniaina. The lawyer believes there is "manifest abuse of power by misusing an institution." According to the lawyer, the warrant presented during the search allegedly concerned the possession of several unregistered vehicles. However, the search allegedly went far beyond this single objective, contends Me Fanomezantsoa Heriniaina. "The home in question was searched thoroughly, even into storage furniture," he states. Johan Andrianjafy further contests any irregularities concerning the vehicles in question. "All vehicle documents are in order," he asserts. For the lawyer, the duration of the seal's maintenance also raises questions. "The home has been sealed since April 2026, the date of the search, when this is a provision of the road code law that forms the basis of the case," the family's lawyer emphasizes. The couple also claims to be subjected to extortion attempts. Johan Andrianjafy accuses officials occupying, according to him, high positions within the public administration. "The people behind the extortion we are suffering are high-ranking public officials," he maintains. The defense believes certain fundamental rights may have been violated in this matter. "Certain fundamental rights are being violated in this case," states Me Heriniaina. For now, the proceedings initiated with the PAC constitute the main avenue pursued by the couple to seek clarification on the circumstances of the search, the extension of the seals, and the facts they are denouncing. The accusations made by the Andrianjafy couple and their lawyer remain, at this stage, their statements and must be confronted with investigation findings and explanations from authorities or implicated parties.
Source: Midi Madagasikara