New appeal for information into Gerard Hoarau’s murder |14 April 2023

Gerard Hoarau

Detectives from the Met investigating the 1985 murder of a former political figure from Seychelles are appealing for information, more than 37 years after the killing.

At around 1015hrs on Friday, November 29, 1985, Gerard Hoarau was shot multiple times with a Sterling sub-machine gun on the doorstep of his home in Greencourt Avenue, Edgware. He was later pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. He was aged just 34.

Mr Hoarau was a leader of the Mouvement Pour La Resistance (MPR), a Seychellois political activist group, which was based in London and opposed the Seychellois government at the time.

The ongoing investigation is being led by detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, and officers continue to explore lines of enquiry – both in the UK and overseas.

Anyone with information in relation to the murder of Mr Hoarau should contact the investigation team at GerardHoarauMurderAppeal@met.police.uk.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously quoting “Met Police – SO15 Op Edgcourt” on 0800 555 111.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said, “Gerard was a prominent Seychellois activist who was living in London when he was brutally murdered. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to bring anyone to justice for his murder. However, the passage of time has not diminished our efforts to achieve justice for Gerard’s family.”

“While we keep an open mind as to the circumstances around Gerard’s murder, we can’t rule out the possibility of it being linked to his political life, and this remains a line of enquiry,” he further stated.

“This remains a sensitive and extremely challenging investigation, and detectives are appealing to anyone who may have information about Gerard’s murder to come forward. We appreciate that people might be hesitant to tell police what they know about Gerard’s murder, but I want to give assurances that any information provided to officers will be treated in the strictest confidence,” added the commander.

Gerard’s brother Ralph Hoarau, speaking on behalf of the family, said in a statement, “Gerard’s love for his country and his people was absolute and unconditional. On behalf of our family, I appeal to all our fellow Seychellois to kindly cooperate with the Met Police and afford them every assistance in their investigations and in the pursuit of establishing the truth”.

“On behalf of all who supported and loved Gerard, we would like to thank Scotland Yard for their relentless work, efforts and dedication in trying to solve this case,” he added.

Two arrests were made as part of the investigation, following a 2016 review of the case by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

On August 2, 2018, a 77-year-old man, was arrested in Antrim, Northern Ireland, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He was released under investigation.

On August 9, 2018, a man in his 80s was also arrested at Gatwick Airport, arriving on an inbound flight into the UK, on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. He remains released under investigation.

In 2019, a 58-year-old man was interviewed under caution by detectives investigating this case. That person was not arrested.

Article by Jack Griffith

Press Officer - Specialist Operations, Metropolitan Police Service – Communication and Engagement