In Senegal, minors arrested during protests will be the first to appear in court
In Senegal, at least 16 people have been killed and more than 500 arrested, according to police figures, as part of protests that erupted after Ousmane Sonko's conviction last Thursday. Demonstrations that gave rise to scenes of violence and clashes with the police. Pastef, Ousmane Sonko's party, speaks of 19 deaths. As for the hundreds of people arrested, what about the ongoing legal proceedings? The first court appearances are scheduled to take place tomorrow Friday, they will mainly concern minors
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Senegal: 38 minors arrested during the latest demonstrations will be tried on Friday 9 June. The Juvenile Court is located within the walls of the Dakar Palace of Justice. © David Baché / RFI
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With our special envoys in Dakar, David Baché andRichard Riffoneau
The minors under the age of 14 who had been arrested were acquitted. Except for a few children already known to the police and who have been taken care of by Aemo (Action éducative en milieu ouvert).
Minors between the ages of 15 and 18 will be brought before a juvenile court in swift flagrante delicto proceedings.
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In Dakar, they will be 38 to be tried tomorrow, Friday, June 9.
Several lawyers defend themselves collectively and on a pro bono basis. Among them, Master Mame Coumba Kane. "They are prosecuted for acts of disturbing public order, undermining the security of the State, calling for insurrection, she explains... Some dispute. For those who we are sure have never demonstrated, we will ask for pure and simple release. For those who we know have demonstrated, we will ask the courts to grant them clemency and entrust them to their parents. »
The 38 minors will be the first of more than 500 people arrested since last Thursday's clashes to be tried.
The adults have been on the chain since Monday, before an investigating judge. Some are placed under judicial control, others will remain in prison before being tried.
Seydi Gassama, Amnesty International's Country Director in Senegal, expressed concern about the ongoing proceedings. "We fear that the state will crack down to send a message to deter future protests. We are concerned and will follow all this closely... »
Police said Sunday they had arrested about 500 people. Other arrests have taken place since then, although the exact number is unknown.
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- Senegal
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