Defence lawyers oppose application to amend charges against Mukesh Valabhji and Sarah Rene |15 April 2023

In the Supreme Court of Seychelles yesterday morning, Chief Justice Rony Govinden made directions in relation to a Notice of Motion filed on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) to amend the charges on the indictment faced by Mukesh Valabhji and Sarah Rene. 

The application is to amend the charges faced by the two suspects, including the substitution of charges and bringing additional charges. 

The 14 proposed counts against Mr Valabhji now allege theft, official corruption and money laundering amounting to approximately USD $100 million between 1993 and 2012. 

Mrs Rene faces proposed allegations of money laundering between 2002 and 2012. 

The lawyers representing both suspects indicated that they would be opposing the application to amend the charges. 

The next hearing is on April 27, 2023, by which date the defence lawyers are to have filed their written objections. 

The trial date remains May 11, 2023. 

Press release from ACCS