Twenty individuals were found guilty of violating the curfew in Mauritius, with eight more awaiting their sentences. The convictions were handed down at an intermediate court on October 28, 2026. All twenty defendants expressed remorse and apologized for their actions. The curfew was enforced from 8:30 PM to 6:00 AM on October 13, and from 8:30 PM to 5:00 AM on October 14 and 15.
The defendants, aged between 18 and 48, provided various reasons for defying the curfew. One defendant, Louis Abraham Casimir, a 18-year-old security guard, was arrested on October 13 at 10:30 PM near the Royal College in Port-Louis. He admitted to breaching the curfew, citing fatigue. Another defendant, Samuel Touvent, a 24-year-old painter, was stopped on October 13 at 10:15 PM in Pointe-aux-Sables, and claimed he had gone out to help someone.
Anil Kapoor Beekharry, a 31-year-old security guard, was arrested on October 13 at 11:55 PM in Bambous, and stated that he had visited an ATM to withdraw cash to buy gas. Jean Stephane Jordan Batour, a 28-year-old helper, was stopped on October 14 at 10:25 PM in Bambous, and said he had gone to his father's residence. Four of the defendants, including Batour, had prior convictions.
The prosecution was led by Inspector Rishisingh Bissessur, with nine witnesses testifying in court. The defendants' statements were also presented as evidence. Some defendants, such as Mary Joyce Stephane Charlot, a 35-year-old mother of six, claimed they had gone out to obtain medication for a sick child. Mohammad Zahir Seck-Dioman, a 34-year-old mechanic, stated that he had made a mistake and had gone out to care for his sick child.
Christ Luca Nelly Denis, a 23-year-old maintenance officer, was represented by an attorney, Me Samad Golamaully, who argued that his client had only gone out to deliver medication to his grandmother. Denis was arrested a few meters from his residence. Golamaully also highlighted that Denis was the sole breadwinner for his family and had cooperated with the police.
Two defendants, Jean Cle Lafontan and Louis Azekel Minerve, both helpers, were arrested on October 15 at 9:40 PM in Tamarin. Lafontan stated that he had gone to work, while Minerve claimed that an emergency had forced him to go out. Sonia Pamela Soopraya Patten, a 47-year-old cook, was stopped on October 17 at 11:05 PM in Camp-Le-Vieux, and said that she had gone to the hospital due to a urinary infection.
The sentences for the twelve defendants who pleaded guilty are to be determined on October 30, 2026, while the remaining eight will face sentencing on November 3, 2026. Two cases were postponed to January 2027. The convictions and sentences highlight the authorities' efforts to enforce the curfew regulations in Mauritius.
Key points
- Twenty people convicted for breaching curfew in Mauritius
- Defendants provided various reasons for defying the curfew
- Sentencing for some defendants to be determined on October 30 and November 3, 2026
