Madagascar ex-Senate chief sentenced to hard labour over deadly Gen Z protest crackdown

Richard Ravalomanana was removed as Senate president last October Madagascar's former Senate president has been sentenced to 10 years of hard labour over his alleged role in the violent crackdown on youth-led protests that helped bring down the previous government last year. Richard Ravalomanana, a retired general and close ally of former President Andry Rajoelina, was found guilty of complicity in murder by a court in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday. Prosecutors accused him of giving instructions to security forces to use violence against demonstrators during the so-called Gen Z protests in September and October 2025. Ravalomanana denied the allegations and said he would appeal against the judgement. From prison to presidential palace: Who is Madagascar's new military ruler?

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open BBC World

Scoop News DeskMadagascar · Published Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 11:34 AM UTCUpdated Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 3:38 AM UTC

Scoop News reporting summary

The text below was supplied by the Scoop Newsroom app. Third-party reporting is attributed in the source panel.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured during the unrest, according to UN figures cited by local media. US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter How a murder case has been fuelling a culture war Follow the life-saving decisions of dedicated A&E teams Sepsis: Preventing, detecting and treating the silent killer London mayor says conviction for untaxed car was due to a scam Gary Glitter pleads not guilty to historical sex offence charges UK aid worker says he was mistaken for survivor in Nepal King Charles, Macron and Burnham to preview Bayeux Tapestry display Charlie Kirk murder suspect pleads not guilty as judge clears way for death penalty trial Pub's 'beloved' manager stabbed to death in Germany US sailors arrive in Thailand's Pattaya after record 250 days at sea Zelensky says airlines should avoid Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations Madagascar ex-Senate chief sentenced to hard labour over deadly Gen Z protest crackdown. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica , external , on Facebook at BBC Africa , external or on Instagram at bbcafrica , external Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC Badenoch presses Burnham on borrowing costs at his first Prime Minister's Questions Four charged with murder after baby stabbed to death Iran attacks US targets in Middle East after four reportedly killed at wedding celebration Kids eat free and loyalty points - six ways to eat out but not break the bank Ariana Grande makes emotional tour exit and steps back from public life Children as young as six going to A&E in mental health crisis Parking tickets sent to patient in intensive care Why are UK borrowing costs rising and what does it mean for me?

Breaking news moves fast. Follow @Will466513 on X for breaking news alerts. Follow on X →

Story timeline