Madagascar exile out of elections

Mr Rajaonarivelo's supporters have held rallies in the capital

A court in Madagascar has decided that exiled opposition leader Pierrot Rajaonarivelo cannot stand for president in elections in December.

His application was rejected by the court on a technicality - he was not there to sign for his candidature.

Despite having his papers in order and meeting the deadline, the court ruled that his absence invalidated his claim.

Two recent attempts by Mr Rajaonarivelo to return home were blocked. The government says he is a security risk.

Blocked entry

Mr Rajaonarivelo, who heads the opposition Arema party, has been living in exile in France for the past five years.

Air Mauritius refused to carry him home before Saturday's registration deadline.

His supporters held a peaceful rally at the airport in the capital, Antananarivo, on Saturday to meet him.

An earlier attempt by Mr Rajaonarivelo to return home was blocked after Madagascar closed an international airport.

Mr Rajaoanarivelo was one of four candidates not allowed to continue with their candidature.

The others were thrown out for reasons involving non-payment of fees and incomplete dossiers.

Mr Rajaonarivelo was sentenced in August to 15 years' hard labour for misuse of funds. He denies the charges.

The government has said it will arrest him the moment he sets foot in Madagascar.

The would-be candidate served as deputy prime minister in the government of President Didier Ratsiraka - who has also been in exile in Paris since 2002 when the country was split in two following disputed presidential elections.