Highlights: In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko must appear at the registry of the criminal chamber of Dakar on May 15, 2023, according to the procedure. According to one of the lawyers of the leader of the Pastef party, Maître Saïd Larifou, he would have "not received his summons" Sonko is accused of rape and death threats by this former employee of a massage parlor, for more than two years. The case had contributed to deadly riots in the country in March 2021.

In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko must appear at the registry of the criminal chamber of Dakar on May 15, 2023, according to the procedure, on the eve of a new trial at risk for the opponent, for charges...

Senegal: eve of a new risky trial for opponent Ousmane Sonko, accused of rape

Opponent Ousmane Sonko Ousmane Sonko, president of the Pastef party, making a statement to the press at the HLM primary school in Ziguinchor on July 3, 2022. AFP - MUHAMADOU BITTAYE

Text by: RFI Follow

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In Senegal, Ousmane Sonko must appear at the registry of the criminal chamber of Dakar on May 15, 2023, according to the procedure, on the eve of a new trial at risk for the opponent, for accusations of rape this time. According to one of the lawyers of the leader of the Pastef party, Maître Saïd Larifou, Ousmane Sonko would have "not received his summons".

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With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac

In Senegal, it is a new risky trial for Ousmane Sonko on May 16, 2023, against Adji Sarr. The opponent, candidate for the presidential election scheduled for February 2024, is accused of rape and death threats by this former employee of a massage parlor, for more than two years. He denounces a "conspiracy".

This case had contributed to deadly riots in the country in March 2021.

According to the procedure, Ousmane Sonko should appear at the registry of the criminal chamber of Dakar this Monday, May 15.

>> READ ALSO: Senegal: the opponent Ousmane Sonko called to appear in court the day before his trial

But according to one of his lawyers, Maître Saïd Larifou, at a press conference this morning in Paris, Ousmane Sonko would have "not received his summons". And without summons, the opponent will not appear at the registry, nor at the court tomorrow, according to him. In any case, adds the lawyer, Ousmane Sonko will only answer to justice "if his safety is guaranteed".

From left to right, Maître Saïd Larifou, one of Ousmane Sonko's lawyers, Mireille Liliane Saki, municipal councillor of the city of Sevran, Alioune Sall, coordinator of the opposition party Pastef in France, this Monday, May 15 at a press conference held in Paris, on the eve of the opening of the trial of Ousmane Sonko in Dakar for "rape and death threats" against Adji Sarr. © Pauline Le Troquier/RFI

The president of the party Les Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l'éthique et la fraternité (Pastef) had already declared on 7 May that he no longer intended to "collaborate with justice", "without a minimum guarantee for his safety".

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Ousmane Sonko must indeed appear "at the latest the day before the hearing". So, this Monday, "to the registry which ensures its representation in court". If he does not appear when he has been "duly summoned" and "without legitimate reason for excuse" says the law, then the president of the criminal chamber can issue an "order for taking body" ["when he considers that the detention of the accused is necessary", according to article 239, Editor's note]. Clearly, Ousmane Sonko could be arrested, which could cause unrest. Another option: he could be tried in absentia.

The mayor of Ziguinchor was in recent days in his stronghold, Casamance, in southern Senegal. Supporters gathered around his home to "secure" their leader. According to images posted on social networks, clashes broke out in the morning with the police.

For his part, one of Adji Sarr's lawyers, El Hadj Diouf, indicated a few days ago that the plaintiff was "serene", and "impatient" for this trial demanded for two years.

The government, on the other hand, denies any "conspiracy". According to the Minister of Communication, "the State is not involved in anything" in this "private" affair, he says, "between two Senegalese citizens".

Ousmane Sonko was also sentenced on 8 May 2023 to 6 months in prison suspended in another case, for defamation and insults in front of the Minister of Tourism. A sentence that could threaten his eligibility for next year's presidential election.

>> READ ALSO: Senegal: the opponent Ousmane Sonko sentenced on appeal to 6 months in prison suspended for defamation and insults

Senegal: eve of a new risky trial for opponent Ousmane Sonko, accused of rape

Senegal: eve of a new risky trial for opponent Ousmane Sonko, accused of rape

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