Mendrika Nantenaina Razafimahefa, prosecuted for contempt of person in charge of a public function, the President of the Republic, denied his accusation, yesterday at the trial, in Anosy. The verdict will be announced on August 9.
Fairly brief adversarial debates. Having become a topical subject because of his story of inverted thumb during the presidential motorcade, Mendrika Nantenaina Razafimahefa, was tried at the court of first instance of Antananarivo, yesterday at the beginning of the followingnoon.
The trial took place in Room 6 for seven minutes and thirty seconds. After deliberating a string of marital affairs and divorces, the presiding judge, a woman, continued with Mendrika’s case. Called to the bar, the motorist looked calm. According to the statement of his offense, he is accused of contempt of person depositary of the public authority that is the President of the Republic.
The young man denied his charge. “Tell me then what happened!” », Addresses the judge to him.
“I heard sirens, ouououou, but I didn’t know who it was,” he replies. “How come you don’t know. Ouououou means that there are therefore priority vehicles, be it an ambulance, be it a motorcade or firefighter. You drive and yet you do not know the priority cars? “replies the magistrate of the seat.
Regrets
Mendrika Nantenaina nevertheless stopped when President Andry Rajoelina’s motorcade passed. He denied that he would have obstructed traffic. “And what would you have done if you had caused an accident because of your actions?” “, hammers the judge.
The accused tilted his head a little and asked for forgiveness. “Here in front of you, I apologize to all those who were shocked, in particular to the President of the Republic”, he expresses.
The judge stopped cooking it and turned to the general counsel if she had any questions for him. The representative of the public prosecutor only demanded the application of a correctional sentence to him.
For its part, the defense was also brief and clear in its argument. She would like her client’s apology to be received and considered. “As the Advocate General has already said, we ask you for a correction, if there should be a sanction,” she says.
In his last word, the accused once more repeated his regrets. The meeting was adjourned. The court will deliver its judgment on August 9.
Mendrika Nantenaina Razafimahefa and her family left the room full of emotions. They did not speak to the press who hoped to be able to interview them.
The youngster was refueling his car at the By-pass on Thursday, July 21. On leaving, we intercepted him because the procession was going to pass, but was slow to arrive. Carried away, he brandished his inverted thumb when the tenant of Iavoloha passed. From there, presidential guards captured him. He was detained at the Andoharanofotsy restraint and placed under arrest warrant in Antanimora the next day.