Me Ngagne Demba Touré, the coordinator of the patriotic youth of Senegal who returned from exile in Mali last week, joins the growing list of detained Pastef party members.
On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Judge Mamadou Seck placed Me Ngagne Demba Touré in pre-trial detention. Mr. Touré is facing five charges:
– Association of wrongdoers in connection with a terrorist enterprise
– Contempt of magistrate
– Offense against the Head of State
– Acts likely to compromise public safety or cause serious political disturbances
– Undermining the authority of the judiciary
According to Mr. Youssoupha Camara, the judge did not even have the competence to place him in pre-trial detention. He cited Article 663 bis of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that if a citizen is charged with an offense, only the indictment chamber has the authority to arrest them.
Mr. Youssoupha Camara emphasized, ‘We have never seen someone charged with so many offenses. Neither Ousmane Sonko nor Diomaye Faye faced such a multitude of charges.’
The Association of Court Clerks of Senegal, which has called for a general strike, demands the release of their colleague, Mr. Ngagne Demba Touré.
