Chinese authorities have taken custody of 50 nationals who were convicted in Madagascar over their alleged involvement in online fraud operations.
The convicts were transferred to China on September 8 as part of an ongoing judicial cooperation arrangement between the two countries.
The detainees passed through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during their journey and were placed under security escort before continuing to China, where they are expected to serve the remainder of their sentences.
Officials stressed that the transfer should not be interpreted as a pardon or release. The individuals remain convicted and will serve their respective prison terms in China.
According to the authorities, sentences range from two to five years for lower-level participants in the scam operations, while those considered to have organised or managed the networks received terms of between five and 10 years.
The operation is linked to international agreements aimed at combating organised crime across borders. Madagascar has been a party to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, also referred to as the Palermo Convention, since 2005.
The latest transfer is expected to be followed by similar operations involving other Chinese nationals who were arrested and convicted in Madagascar for comparable offences.
Madagascar and China have continued to strengthen cooperation in the fight against online fraud and other forms of transnational crime. Authorities say the collaboration is intended to disrupt criminal networks and prevent their activities from spreading across borders.
China has maintained that its campaign against online fraud will be pursued firmly, with authorities warning that citizens involved in such operations will face legal consequences.
The transfer therefore represents another step in efforts by both countries to coordinate their response to increasingly internationalised online fraud networks.
