By Abdoulie John
The Gambia is a country where the courts grant accused persons bail but the state continues to hold them. The case of Kanifing Imam, Alh. Ousman Sawaneh is the newest case of Yahya Jammeh’s judicial interference. Imam Sawaneh remains illegally detained, despite winning his bail rights through the courts more than a month ago. This is why journalist Abdoulie John called the UDP deputy leader to find out whether the six opposition women protesters were indeed allowed to leave. The women were aarrested for peacefully protesting against the continued detention of opposition leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and others.
The six women’s bail has been confirmed by the UDP deputy leader. Mariam Secka said five the women, including the mother of a month’s old baby, reached home after securing bail on Thursday.
The emblematic figure of the anti-government protests in Banjul said except one woman who is undergoing medical treatment at the Police Intervention Unit Headquarter in Kanifing, all the May 9th protesters have joined their families.
The six women have been charged with rioting, unlawful assembly and inciting violence for demonstrating against the prosecution of dozens
of opposition activists. They all pleaded not guilty.
UDP deputy party leader decried the fact that there are still some
women detained in connection with April 14, and 16 demonstrations
organized by the late Solo Sandeng and Ousainou Darboe respectively.
The detention and prosecution of female protesters have sparked
international outcry as reports of sexual violence have been
corroborated by affidavits tendered in court.
Ends