The former interior minister of Gambia continues to be in the dock in Switzerland. Before the Federal Criminal Court, Ousman Sonko is accused of crimes against humanity, torture, kidnapping and even extrajudicial executions. A historical process. This weekend there was discussion about the crackdown on the March 2006 coup attempt. A group of investigators had been established. The suspects were interrogated at intelligence headquarters and multiple abuses were committed. Several victims blamed the former minister.
Published on: 01/13/2024 – 01:18
2 minutes
Through intense testimonies, often full of emotion, several Gambians told how they were brutally interrogated by the secret services. They described in detail the beatings, torture and rape they suffered. Cruel methods whose aim was to extort confessions.
But what role did Ousman Sonko have? He who was chief of police at the time. He did not directly participate in the interrogations, but is accused of having been part of the investigative panel responsible for supervising the operation, and of not having reported the abuse.
Me Philippe Currat denies any responsibility of his client. According to him, the chairman of the commission said that Ousman Sonko was not part of it. Of course, the former minister came to the site a few times, but he did not witness the abuses and had no control over the torturers. “ There’s nothing against him. And even if he had been aware of the mistreatment, this does not give rise to his criminal liability. » indicates the lawyer. Mr. Currat goes further and accuses some witnesses of lying, of changing their version of events in a coordinated way to obtain a conviction. “ I hope the judges are not fooled » indicates the lawyer.
Benoît Meystre, legal advisor to Trial International, the NGO behind the trial, believes that Ousman Sonko had a responsibility due to his high office. As for the victims “ they can finally express themselves. Not in front of a prosecutor but in front of a court. This makes the difference “, He believes.
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2024-01-13 00:18:53
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