Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko denounces police brutality ahead of his defamation trial

March 16 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has denounced being a victim of police brutality when he was evicted this Thursday from the vehicle that was taking him to the Dakar court where his defamation trial is taking place, which has caused clashes between the agents and the followers who were escorting him .

The clashes began after the Police intercepted the vehicle in which Sonko was traveling after he had refused to follow the itinerary marked out by the authorities to reach the courthouse.

The judge has had to temporarily suspend the hearing after the defense has claimed medical assistance. They maintain that the leader of the Senegalese Patriots Africans for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party has been beaten by the policemen who evicted him from his car.

“Our client was brutally gassed before being taken out of his vehicle,” denounced his lawyer, Me Ciré Clédor Ly, who had to be transferred to a hospital. “My physical and psychological state does not allow me to exercise. My client cannot answer the questions”, he assured, according to ‘Le Quotidien’.

This is the third time that the trial has been suspended, although it is expected to resume this Thursday. Sonko is accused of discrediting Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang, although he maintains that it is nothing more than a ploy to discredit him ahead of the next presidential elections in February 2024.

The Free the People coalition, of which PASTEF is a part, called for this week several rallies throughout the country in favor of Sonko. On Wednesday, the Dakar authorities banned them citing security reasons, however, they did take place in other cities, such as Ziguinchor, Mbacké, Matam, Kolda.