Tourism chief: This is a land of peace

THE Government and police in Mauritius moved quickly to reassure holiday-makers the destination was “a land of peace” as police were poised to charge three men in connection with the murder of Michaela Harte.

Media reports on the island said the murder of a tourist in her bedroom in a five-star hotel was a “big embarrassment” for the country, which is dependant on tourism.

There was mounting pressure on the police, who as early as yesterday morning said they were “confident” of solving the crime by the afternoon.

Speaking on Morning Ireland yesterday, the head of the serious crimes unit, said the murder was viewed “as a high-profile case” by police and the government.

Superintendent Yussuf Soopun, who heads the major crime investigation team, added: “We are confident by this afternoon the case will be solved.”

By 8pm last night, reports were emerging from Mauritius that police had completed their investigations and were set to charge three men.

On the same programme, Leevy Frivet of media agency GRN, said the police were under pressure to solve the crime fast. He said the fact the victim was the daughter of a famous football manager and, moreover, a tourist, was a major blow to the country.

“The fact that a woman gets killed in a hotel room is a big embarrassment for the government and the hotel.” He said the police were engaging in “press relationship” by saying they were confident of solving the case.

“They are always saying they are confident, but don’t really manage to do it,” said Mr Frivet.

While both police and media said it was the first such murder in a hotel, Mr Frivet said the murder rate was increasing with a homicide every week.

The Minister for Tourism Nando Bodha told the News at One the people of Mauritius were “deeply saddened and shocked that such a tragedy could ever happen in Mauritius”, which he said was “a land of peace”.