Madagascar pardons 27 military officials jailed for mutiny

The Supreme Court of Madagascar on Wednesday pardoned 27 military officials jailed for mutiny in the Indian Ocean island country. The officials were put in jail for a mutiny in a naval airbase in the capital Antananarivo in 2010 and another one in the gendarme barracks of the city in the same year, the court said. Among the pardoned were Gen. Raoelina, director of presidential security during the regime of former president Marc Ravalomanana, and the former defense minister of the transitional regime in 2009 Gen. Noel Rakotonandrasana. The list was already signed on July 18 by the Supreme Court following the request of these officials. Since Feb. 28, the Supreme Court has published six lists to pardon 68 politicians and military officials.