(JollofNews) – A high court judge in the Gambia has convicted the leader of the country’s main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and over a dozen members of his party for taking part in a street protest against the regime of President Yahya Jammeh.
According to reports from Banjul, UDP Leader Ousainou Darboe, Femi Peters, Lamin Dibba, Kemesseng Jammeh, Lamin Jatta, Babucarr Camara, Fakebba Colley, Ismaila Ceesay, Momodou Fatty, Dodou Ceesay, Samba Ceesay, Mamud Kinteh, Mfamara Kuyateh, Fanta Darboe, Lamin Njie, Juguna Suso, Momodou LK Sanneh, Yaya Jammeh and Masanneh Lalo Jawla have been found guilty of taking part in an unlawful assembly, riot, riotously interfering with traffic, holding a procession without a license and disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession.
They were arrested in April after they took to the streets to demand answers over the death in custody of the party’s organising secretary, Solo Sandeng.
Mr Sandeng had led a protest which ended with Gambian security forces beating and arresting dozens for making a public call for electoral reform and the resignation of President Yahya Jammeh.
The judge is currently summing up the verdict and is expected to impose long and harsh custodial sentences.
More to follow soon.
