Seychelles Case Law

R v D’unienville & Ors (CO 3 of 2025)

R v D’unienville & Ors (CO 3 of 2025) [2025] SCSC 129 (30 May 2025)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

CO 3 of 2025

The applications for bail are denied because the offences are serious, there is a prima facie case against all four applicants, and there are substantial grounds to believe that if released, the accused may abscond, interfere with witnesses or victims, or tamper with evidence. The applicants are part of a well-organised international criminal group with access to resources and cross-border connections. The length of pre-trial detention is not unreasonable given the complexity of the case and the trial date set. Medical needs of the accused are being adequately addressed in detention. Parity w…

Source excerpt

• Bail
• Remand
• Money laundering
• Drug trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Conspiracy

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R v Prea (FH 09 OF 2025)

R v Prea (FH 09 OF 2025) [2025] SCSC 54 (4 April 2025)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

FH 09 OF 2025

The Supreme Court of Seychelles granted police further holding of the suspect for 14 days under section 101 of the CPC, citing seriousness and investigation risks.

• Remand of suspect
• Bail
• Controlled drugs
• Conspiracy
• Aiding and abetting
• Criminal-procedure

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R v D'unienville & Ors (CO 63 of 2024)

R v D'unienville & Ors (CO 63 of 2024) [2025] SCSC 38 (27 March 2025)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

CO 63 of 2024

The Supreme Court of Seychelles refused bail to Aaron Dugasse, holding that the affidavit disclosed a prima facie case and continued detention was justified pending trial.

• Bail
• Remand
• Controlled drugs
• Conspiracy
• Controlled-drugs
• Criminal-procedure

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R v Valabhji & Ors (CO 4 of 2022)

R v Valabhji & Ors (CO 4 of 2022) [2024] SCSC 220 (2 September 2024)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

CO 4 of 2022

The Supreme Court of Seychelles refused a stay for abuse of process and held that the prosecution had made a prima facie case against most accused.

• Abuse of process
• Conspiracy
• Possession of firearms
• Terrorism
• Disclosure
• Chain of custody

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Quatre v R ((SCA CR 21/2023 (Arising in CR 05/22

Quatre v R ((SCA CR 21/2023 (Arising in CR 05/22 [2024] (19 August 2024)) [2024] SCCA 26 (19 August 2024)

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

(SCA CR 21/2023 (Arising in CR 05/22 [2024] (19 August 2024)

The Court of Appeal of Seychelles held that aiding and abetting is independently punishable, but overturned Kevin Quatre’s conviction because the evidence was insufficient.

• Aiding and abetting
• Trafficking in controlled drugs
• Conspiracy
• Burden of proof
• Hearsay evidence
• Defective charges

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R v Chiray & Ors (CR 2 of 2024)

R v Chiray & Ors (CR 2 of 2024) [2024] SCSC 83 (29 May 2024)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

CR 2 of 2024

The Seychelles Supreme Court sentenced three accused to 25 years each on eight drug counts after guilty pleas, citing commercial importation and organised group involvement.

• Importation of controlled drugs
• Conspiracy
• Sentencing
• Aggravating and mitigating factors
• Drug-offences
• Importation-of-controlled-drugs

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R v Bradburn (CR 5 of 2023)

R v Bradburn (CR 5 of 2023) [2024] SCSC 73 (27 May 2024)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

CR 5 of 2023

The Seychelles Supreme Court sentenced a first-time offender who admitted aiding a conspiracy to import controlled drugs to 18 months’ imprisonment and a SR15,000 fine.

• Conspiracy
• Controlled drugs
• Sentencing
• Aiding and abetting
• Criminal-law
• Controlled-drugs

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Payet v R (SCA CR 08/2023 and SCA CR MA 04/2024

Payet v R (SCA CR 08/2023 and SCA CR MA 04/2024 [2024] (Arising in CR 64/2018) (3 May 2024) ((SCA CR 08/2023 and SCA CR MA 04/2024 [2024] (Arising in CR 64/2018) (3 May 2024)) [2024] SCCA 6 (3 May 2024)

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

(SCA CR 08/2023 and SCA CR MA 04/2024 [2024] (Arising in CR 64/2018) (3 May 2024)

The Court of Appeal of Seychelles dismissed a drug-conspiracy appeal, upholding conviction and sentence, and refused to condone the respondent’s late filing.

• Conspiracy
• Importation of controlled drugs
• Procedural rules
• Condonation of delay
• Criminal-law
• Drug-offences

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R v Azemia & Ors (CO 90 of 2021)

R v Azemia & Ors (CO 90 of 2021) [2024] SCSC 51 (15 April 2024)

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

CO 90 of 2021

The court found that the accused entered into an agreement and made preparations to bomb the Grand Anse Petrol Station, satisfying the elements of conspiracy. The accused were found in possession of explosive materials without lawful object. The evidence did not establish that their actions went beyond preparation to constitute an attempt. The defence of entrapment/agent provocateur did not apply as the accused would have committed the offence without the alleged inducement.

Source excerpt

• Conspiracy
• Possession of explosives
• Entrapment
• Attempted offences

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Leon v R (SCA CR 3 of 2023)

Leon v R (SCA CR 3 of 2023) [2023] SCCA 33 (25 August 2023)

Court

Court of Appeal

Case number

SCA CR 3 of 2023

The Court of Appeal dismissed Eric Leon’s sentence appeal for money laundering, correcting the fine to SCR 380,000 and default imprisonment to 9 years 6 months.

• Money laundering
• Sentencing
• Conspiracy
• Fines
• Money-laundering
• Criminal-appeal

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