By Abdoulie John
The co-founder and publisher of The Point newspaper, Pap Saine, has Thursday unequivocally stated there is no iota of doubt that his colleague and brother Deyda Hydara was gunned down by assailants who acted at the direction of Gambia’s longtime ruler, Yahya Jammeh.
The co-proprietor of The Point was giving his testimony before the ongoing Six Session of the ongoing Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
In an attempt to set the record straight, Pap Saine made clear it that the killing has to do with the stance taken by Deyda Hydara to challenge the Media Commission Bill, which was aimed at anesthesizing journalists, but also to make sure there is no vibrant media in the country.
Deyda Hydara was killed by a hit squadallegedly linked to the notorious Junglers – Jammeh’s assassin team. The former regime turned a deaf to calls made by human rights bodies to open an international inquiry into the matter.
Saine debunked the lies concocted in the so-called investigation report, calling it a blatant attempt to tarnish the reputation of Deyda Hydara and cover up the role the State played in the assassination of Deyda Hydara.
The Point boss also unveiled the coverup tactics laid down by the Police and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) with a view to deflecting the blame of Deyda Hydara’s assassination.
He said he was subjected to an humiliating interrogation by the erstwhile Police spokesman Aziz Bojang asking him whether he had any problem with Deyda Hydara, the financial status of The Point.
Far more disturbing, Saine went further to say he was called at the NIA for questioning. He said he was astonished to see Cpt Lamin Saine, questioning him while indicating that Saine used to come to The Point newspaper.
“Deyda Hydara helped him (Lamin Saine) to type his handwritten manuscript,” he added.
Ends