● <B> A first step in favour of Sir Harry. </B> Once again, Sir Harry Tirvengadum arrived in Court on a stretcher last Wednesday. One of the accused in the trial for embezzlement of Air Mauritius funds did not have any reaction while he was in court. The full bench of the intermediate court ? comprising magistrates Benjamin Marie-Joseph, Nicolas Ohsan-Bellepeau and Renuka Dabee ? has finally ruled in favour of the former CEO of the national airline company. Basing themselves on the medical reports of his cardiologist, Dr Cassam Hingun, and his neurologist, Dr Dominique Lam Thuon Mine, they have asked the Director of public prosecutions to review his case. However, the magistrates have not agreed to his lawyer Yousuf Mohamed?s request to retire from the case because his client?s health state has hindered his defence.

● <B> Automatic speed traps</B> ? Road radars will be introduced on a pilot basis in March next year. Despite the controversy that this type of radar is raising in European countries, particularly in France, where its reliability is questioned, the ministry of Public infrastructures is satisfied with details given by potential suppliers. These radars will be placed in various regions of the island ? especially on the northern highway ? day and night and will automatically record the speed of cars. A picture will then be sent to the offenders as well as to the Court.

● <B> Prisons in a difficult situation</B> ? The situation in prisons is not getting any better? Far from it. Following many complaints from prisoners about alleged brutality and ill-treatment, the prison authorities have decided to dissolve the Prison Security Squad (PSS). For the moment, the Special Mobile Force (SMF) has taken over but the commissioner of prisons, Lingamanaicker Vijayanarayanan, asures that this unit will soon be set up again. The prison officers are, however, angry with the commissioner who wrote a letter to the Prime minister?s office stating he was not aware of brutality in his prisons. Two of them have been arrested by the Central Criminal Investigation Department.