Bruneau Laurette gets Rs1 million bail, but taken into custody again

After almost four months in detention, political activist Bruneau Laurette was granted bail on Tuesday 21 February against Rs 1 million and a security of Rs 15 million.

The news triggered jubilant scenes among the supporters at the Moka District Court. But shortly afterwards, the announcement came like a cold shower: the representative of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed to freeze the decision pending an appeal before the Supreme Court – so Laurette was taken back in custody.

Laurette’s lawyer Mr Rouben Mooroongapillay said he anticipated the move by the Office of the DPP.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Mooroongapillay appealed to the DPP to review the decision to appeal “with a clear mind” and to “reconsider the 311-page bail proceedings” and the decision of the magistrate, Jade Ngan Chai King, before going ahead with the bail review.

He added that the DPP’s office has one week to file a bail review. Else Bruneau Laurette will have to be released on bail.

Bruneau Laurette has been in police custody since his arrest on November 4, 2022, after a raid at his house in Saint-Pierre, by the Special Striking Team (SST).

He is facing three provisional charges: possession of more than 40 kilos of hashish worth over Rs 200 million, possession of firearms and money laundering.

Laurette has vigorously maintained his innocence, claiming that the drugs had been “planted” by the SST.

Sources: L’Express, Defi Media