News
Defendant in Seychelles show trial continues to suffer procedural improprieties
English QC pressed for Laura Valabhji’s release on bail after 263 day imprisonment without trial as the Court seeks further delay Today, leading English barrister James Lewis QC has presented the defence case at a critical bail appeal hearing which took place an extraordinary 263 days after they were first imprisoned. At the hearing, the… Read…
Commonwealth leaders urged to intervene in Seychelles showtrial
With the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting taking place in Kigali, the team representing defendants issued a formal appeal to Commonwealth leaders to acknowledge the gross neglect of the defendants’ human rights and a total disregard for the rule of law in the Seychelles. The team representing some of the individuals held in prison for… Read…
Concerns mount over “show trial” in the Seychelles
Government passes new laws to charge political opponents imprisoned on remand for over six months The Seychelles Government has changed the law to enable the politically-motivated detention and prosecution to continue. State prosecutor, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) confesses it has no authority to prosecute defendants, despite some of them remaining in custody for… Read…
Seychelles prosecution’s own evidence appears to exonerate Laura Valabhji in a high-profile court case – while she remains under arrest and on remand for almost 4 months
The Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) submitted another affidavit minutes before the court hearing, in which it confirms that there is no evidence of Laura Valabhji’s involvement in an alleged theft of $50 million two decades ago and subsequent transfers QC defending Ms Valabhji asserts that she is a woman of good character who does… Read…
Mukesh Valabhji vigorously refutes new allegations as lawyer calls escalation of alleged offences ‘unfounded’ and ‘deeply troubling’
Today, the defendant in the high-profile corruption case in Seychelles, Mukesh Valabhji, received a summons from the Supreme Court to answer allegations about five new offences. These relate to arms and ammunition that were found at Mr Valabhji’s residence. The summons suggests that this proves that he has conspired against the government and committed an… Read…
British-Canadian citizen arrested – single mother held by authorities for being an employee of Mukesh Valabhji – deepening concerns about the ACCS’s motives.
On 21 January 2022, Fahreen Rajan, a British-Canadian citizen, and single mother of 2 young children under the ages of 13 was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS). Ms Rajan was apparently detained because she is an employee of Mukesh Valabhji. Mr Valabhji was arrested on 18 November 2021 on charges also brought… Read…
Seychelles Supreme Court again defers bail hearing as Laura Valabhji is returned to remand after 73 days in custody
Last minute prosecution submission prevents Mrs Valabhji from making bail application. On Friday, Laura Valabhji had her bail application yet again postponed since her detention by the Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles (ACCS) some 73 days previously. The postponement comes just seven days after Mrs Valabhji was left without the support of local legal counsel. A woman… Read…
Seychelles authorities intimidate and disqualify local defence lawyer as fears mount over show-trial of Opposition figures
The lead counsel defending prominent citizens in the Seychelles has been disqualified by default after uncorroborated charges were made against him on the morning of his clients’ bail hearing. On the same day, lawyers from Kobre & Kim, a respected international law firm, also in attendance at the court, were subject to intimidation by the… Read…
State of the nation address
To tackle corruption within the system, the President is calling for the reinforcement of the Anti Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS). The board which directs the organisation to a sum of R1.8 million is to be dissolved, and the entity restructured through legislative amendments. However, the R1.8 million is to be retained by the entity… Read…