Gambia: five people sentenced to death for the murder of an opponent under Yaya Jammeh
Demonstration in Banjul to protest after the death of Solo Sandeng in April 2016. STRINGER / AFP
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In Gambia, five people, including the former director of the national intelligence agency, have been sentenced to death by the courts for the murder of opponent Solo Sandeng.
A look back at this very symbolic trial which lasted seven years.
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The facts date back to April 2016.
Solo Sandeng
, the leader of the United Democratic Party, demonstrates alongside other parties to demand political reforms.
The gathering is harshly repressed.
This opposition figure was arrested and beaten to death on the premises of the NIA, the national intelligence agency.
His death then provoked several protest movements, themselves repressed by the police.
We have to wait for the arrival of a new regime to see the opening of a trial, in 2017, by the High Court of Justice.
In total,
nine former leaders of the repressive apparatus of Yahya Jammeh
are prosecuted for kidnapping, crime, serious injuries, establishment of false death certificates.
In total, 25 charges are retained.
Among the accused are the former head of the NIA, Yankuba Badjie, and his right-hand man, Saikou Omar Jeng.
“
Even after his death, Solo Sandeng's body was treated with disdain.
Even the gloves they wore while digging his grave were thrown into his grave
,” Judge Kumba Sillah Camara said.
“
He did not receive a proper Muslim burial
,” she added.
His verdict: five defendants are sentenced to death, including the head of the NIA.
The Solo Sandeng Foundation welcomes this news.
“
Justice seems to have been done, it remains to be seen what will become of the other files linked to disappearances and assassinations
”, comments a human rights activist.
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Gambia
Justice
Yahya Jammeh