Africa-Press – Seychelles. No objection to further holding application from defence
Following negotiations with his clients, counsel Basil Hoareau informed the court yesterday that the defence had no objection regarding the application filed by prosecution to further hold the two suspects in the ongoing money laundering investigation.
The prosecution – Neesa Thompson and Brandon François – filed an application before Justice Brassel Adeline for further holding of the two suspects in the case for an additional ten days, until May 25.
Mr Hoareau said the decision is a strategic one as the defence does not want to be entangled in factual matters at this point in time, allowing the prosecution more time to settle their facts.
In regards to the second suspect, Mr Hoareau made a minor application for the former to attend the funeral service of his aunt who recently passed away, to which Justice Adeline granted, and go through necessary arrangements.
It is to note that the court is satisfied that the prima facie case in regards to the ongoing investigation has been established and the ground for further holding of the two suspects have been laid out.
The two suspects –arrested and detained on the night of Wednesday April 26, leading to Thursday April 27, 2023 – are being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism Act 2020.
It was on August 25, 2022 that a report was made to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit within the Seychelles Police that as per intelligence gathered, the first suspect – a resident of Eden Island – was using his businesses to launder funds deriving from illicit deeds suspected to be drug trafficking, with the assistance of the second suspect who is a resident of Beau Vallon.
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