A Gambian High, presided over by Justice S. Ateha Abi, on Thursday sentenced members of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) who were arrested along with the late Solo Sandeng on April 14, to three years imprisonment each.
Solo Sandeng was reportedly tortured to death in state custody.
The others included Nogoi Njie, Fatou Camara, Modou Ngum, Fatoumata Jawara, Lang Marong, Jerreh Fatty, Lansana Beyai, Lamin Jatta, Ebrima Jadama, Pa Ousman Njie, Muhammed Jawneh, and Bubacarr Touray.
They were charged with seven counts of unlawful assembly, riot, incitement to violence, riotously interfering with vehicular movements, holding a procession without permit, disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession and conspiracy.
All the accused persons were denied bail during the trial.
The conviction on Thursday followed the conviction and sentencing on Wednesday of the party leader, Ousainou Darboe, and 18 others to three years imprisonment each by the Special Criminal Court in Banjul over similar charges.
On 14 April, dozens of opposition party protesters were arrested after staging a peaceful demonstration at the Westfield Junction demanding electoral reforms.
Photo credit: Freedom Newspaper
