Senegal: two opposition deputies in court for the demonstration of June 17
Security forces during the June 17 demonstration in Dakar, Senegal.
AFP - SEYLLOU
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In Senegal, the trial in flagrante delicto of two opposition deputies is being held this Monday at the Dakar High Court.
Déthié Fall, representative of the Yewwi Askan Wi coalition, and Mame Diarra Fam, were arrested on Friday June 17, in particular for “illegal assembly”, during a demonstration banned by the prefecture.
At least 3 people died during these demonstrations, in Dakar and in Casamance, in the south of the country.
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Charlotte Idrac
The hearing opened
in a full house and in the presence of several leaders of the Yewwi Askan Wi coalition such as Ousmane Sonko, Khalifa Sall, former mayor of Dakar, or the deputy Aida Mbodj.
It took place in the courthouse, secured by a large force of order.
In total, 84 defendants arrested on June 17 in Dakar are tried during this special and public hearing, in particular for "
illegal gathering during which violence and damage to property were committed
".
From the outset, the president of the court called for restraint, calm and serenity.
“
It is only the right that will be said, whatever the circumstances
,” he assured.
When they arrived in the room, the deputies were applauded by their supporters, some made the "V" for victory.
"
No sign of approval or disapproval is allowed
", replied the president of the court, who called for restraint and serenity
“The right to demonstrate is enshrined in the constitution
”
The first to be called to the stand was Dethie Fall, attorney for Yewwi Askan Wi.
He rejected
all the charges against him
.
"
I introduced the declaration of demonstration at the level of the prefecture of Dakar
" which prohibited it, affirms the representative of Yewwi Askan Wi and "
I was kidnapped in front of the headquarters of my party
", he insists .
“
After the rally was banned, did you dissuade people from demonstrating?
asked the prosecutor.
“
We are in Senegal, the right to demonstrate is enshrined in the Constitution
,” retorted the deputy.
In turn, Mame Diarra Fam, speaking in Wolof, rejected the accusations, stressing that she was far from the place planned for the demonstration, in this case the Place de la Nation.
For its part, the ruling coalition, Benno Bokk Yaakaar, is upwind after a
tweet from French socialist Olivier Faure
who denounces an "
instrumentalized
" Senegalese justice and a "
trampled democracy
".
The spokesperson for the coalition denounces interference in Senegalese internal affairs and “
mental neocolonialism
”.
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Senegal
Justice