Madagascar: French national kidnapped in Antananarivo Jan. 17

Event

On Wednesday, January 17, six unidentified armed men abducted a French national of Indo-Pakistani origin in the Antanimena district of the capital Antananarivo. The victim was taken from his car while he was sitting in traffic. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the kidnapping.

Context

The risk of kidnapping is high in Madagascar, especially targeting the French-Indian community, which has been the target of at least 90 kidnappings since 2010. This is the sixth kidnapping in the capital in ten months.

Kidnappings-for-ransom targeting business professionals are also relatively common. Foreign visitors to the country, including business travelers and expatriates, are particularly at-risk due to their perceived wealth.

Advice

Due to high crime rates and occasional cases of kidnapping (especially in urban and tourist centers such as Antananarivo, Tamatave, Majunga, Tulear, and Diego Suarez), individuals are advised to take the necessary precautions to minimize exposure to kidnappings; vary routes and schedules, maintain a high level of discretion, avoid posting personal information on social media that can be used by criminals to track targets (children, teenagers, and parents), be particularly vigilant after dark, regularly review and update your residential security, drive with windows closed and doors locked, etc. If you ever feel in danger, go directly to the nearest police station.