Madagascar arrests politician on corruption charge

ANTANANARIVO, July 28 (Reuters) Malagasy authorities have arrested a politician on corruption-related charges after he criticised the management of the ruling party, his wife said today.

Roger Zara, who is trying to reform the president's Tiako-i-Madagasikara (TIM) party, was a TIM deputy in the national assembly. The dissolution of parliament's lower house on Thursday reduced the legal procedures required for his arrest.

''Roger Zara received a summons on Thursday and went to the court. After a discussion with the judge, he was immediately taken to prison,'' his wife, Colette Zara, said by phone.

''In the summons, my spouse is reprimanded for indulging in corruption, abuse of position, and tribalism,'' she said. Her husband was a deputy for the northern island of Nosy Be.

Authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

TIM can count on about 100 seats in the 160-seat national assembly, but has been weakened by infighting in recent months.

New elections for the assembly are due on Sept. 23.

President Marc Ravalomanana's economic reforms are widely seen as the best opportunity for Madagascar -- the world's largest producer of vanilla -- to lift itself out of poverty, but observers question his authoritarian tendencies.

Last week, police arrested on theft charges opposition politician Pety Rakotoniaina, who had been on the run for eight months after expressing his support for a coup attempt last November.

Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island and home to some 18 million people, many of whom live in poverty.

REUTERS PD BD1955