Ex-Madagascar minister accused of illegal rosewood trade

An ex-minister in Madagascar's Highest Transitional Authority (HAT) has been charged in court for involvement in illegal rosewood trade, the L' Express daily newspaper reported.

"The Madagascan Supreme Court had already ruled on the matter on February 10, 2011 when the ex-minister's accomplices were put behind bars but he was released on bail," L' Express further noted.

The ex-minister is accused of having obtained 6 billion Ariary from Chinese economic operators in the eastern town of Toamasina through various intermediaries.

The Chinese businessmen who fulfilled every requirement for the export of rosewood decided to report the minister and other economic operators after they failed to deliver containers of rosewood. The newspaper reported that the accused asked the court to dismiss charges against him.

Exportation of rosewood was banned last year through a decree from the government.

Illegal trade in this precious tree has, however, increased in the last few years, costing the state $52 million in 2009 alone.