Police said Wednesday they had arrested several people suspected of planting bombs in Madagascar's capital, adding that they were believed to be supporters of ousted president Marc Ravalomanana. 'There was an operation yesterday to arrest the bombers' network and evidence was collected,' gendarmerie chief Bruno Razafindrakoto told selfnews. 'Those arrested have confessed. It appears that they are supporters of the former president,' he said, adding that some of the suspects were employed by Ravalomanana's Tiko industrial group. He said explosive material and molotov cocktails were found during the raid. A small homemade bomb exploded in a shopping centre last week, causing only minor material damage. Another was defused near a security position days later, according to security officials. Andry Rajoelina, a 35-year-old former disk jockey and mayor of the capital Antananarivo, launched mass street protests late last year and eventually ousted Ravalomanana on March 17 with the army's backing. The elected president fled the country and has since tried to mobilise support in Madagascar and among the island's international partners for a return to power. Security across the Indian Ocean island has been stepped up amid fears of unrest ahead of Friday's 49th anniversary of independence from France. 