Burundi’s sacked central financial institution governor has been arrested on suspicion of cash laundering and misappropriation of public belongings.
The expenses in opposition to Dieudonné Murengerantwari are “provisional” pending the end result of investigations, the justice ministry mentioned.
Mr Murengerantwari has not but responded to the allegations.
On Sunday, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye fired him, simply over a 12 months after he took up the put up.
Burundi’s economic system is in serious trouble with a scarcity of overseas forex that has made it troublesome to import items.
In latest years, it has additionally been hit by a scarcity of gasoline from time, and an increase in costs that has worsened the price of residing disaster.
About 65% of the inhabitants of 12 million reside in poverty, in accordance with the World Bank.
In an announcement, the justice ministry accused Mr Murengerantwari of “undermining the proper functioning of the national economy, passive corruption, money laundering and misappropriation of public assets”.
It didn’t give additional particulars, however Attorney General Leonard Manirakiza mentioned the ex-governor would stay in custody whereas investigations continued.
Mr Murengerantwari was appointed to the put up – which is important to reaching financial stability – for 5 years, however was dismissed in his second 12 months in workplace.
He was beforehand the managing director of Burundi’s state-linked improvement financial institution.
He has been changed by a member of the financial institution’s board, Édouard Normand Bigendako.
Mr Murengerantwari is the second central financial institution chief in Africa to run into authorized bother this 12 months.
Nigeria’s central financial institution governor Godwin Emefiele was suspended in June, and later charged with illegally proudly owning a shotgun and cartridges. He denied the fees.
BBC/Jide Johnson.
