GPU Writes To Attorney General

Dear Hon. Minister,

The Gambia Press Union is concerned with the deteriorating state of health of Mr Alagie Ceesay, manager of Teranga FM. Our colleague was kept in incommunicado detention for twenty-nine days before he was arraigned in September, 2015, charged with sedition and false news. He has for the past eight months being undergoing trial at the High Court in Banjul.

On Monday April 11, Ceesay was hospitalised at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. His condition was critical, yet he was taken back to the prison that evening. Two days later – Thursday April 13 – he was rushed again for treatment at the EFSTH where he’s still receiving treatment.

Moreover, Ceesay has since Friday April 8, 2016, been denied access to visitors either at the hospital or at prison. This is an infringement upon his fundamental right to access visitors.

Based on the foregoing, the Gambia Press Union executive board and the Ceesay family are deeply disturbed by his current health status. We are therefore calling on you Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice to order for charges against him to be dropped to enable him reunite with his family and regain his health.  Section 85(1)b of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia has vested in you powers to instruct the Honourable Director of Public Prosecution to discontinue any trial and doing so in this case would be a great relief.

GPU

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