Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – A Gambian businessman, Kebba Touray, has been arrested by state authorities in connection with the 30 December, 2014 armed assault on the presidential palace in Banjul, family sources said on Thursday.
The sources said they had not seen Touray, a businessman and clearing agent living in Tobacco Road, Banjul, since January 24, when he was picked up by security agents. He is being held at the National Intelligence Agency offices in Banjul.
“He was arrested around 4pm (GMT) from his home during lunch time. He has been sick for the past six months and has not been going to work,” the family sources said.
Four of the attackers in the failed coup attempt died during that overnight attack, four others have fled and one has been captured. All of them are ex-soldiers.
Since December 30, there have been waves of arrests mainly of civilians by the country’s security forces. Some have been released but none has yet been brought before court in connection with the armed assault.
The family of Touray said they were worried because they did not have access to him.
In 2010, Touray was arrested and detained by the state security agents following a reported failed coup in late 2009 allegedly led by former Army Chief, Lang Tombong Tamba, according to the 2010 US human rights report on Gambia.
