The historic trial of Ousman Sonko, in Switzerland, is entering its home stretch. The former Gambian Minister of the Interior is accused of crimes against humanity, torture, kidnapping and even extrajudicial executions, acts committed under the dictatorship of former president in exile Yahya Jammeh. This Monday, March 4, it was the requisitions of the prosecutor who asked for life in prison.
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Never has a man at such a high hierarchical level been tried in Europe under universal jurisdiction. For the public prosecutor, there is no doubt that Ousman Sonko played a leading role in the criminal system of repression put in place by the dictatorship, from the start. “He was a confidant of President Jammeh. He was fully aware that he was carrying out his vision, with a broad and systematic attack on civilians “, declared the prosecutor.
Former commander of the presidential guard, then inspector general of police and finally Minister of the Interior, the accused has experienced exponential progression. For education, Ousman Sonko had such a place, it is impossible that he was unaware of the violence against the population. He even contributed greatly to it through his increasingly important functions.
The prosecutor noted that the crimes were committed with particular cruelty, an aggravating circumstance which allowed her to request life imprisonment.
“ This is to be congratulated. The judicial response to this question will constitute a precedent, because a Swiss court has never yet ruled on this subject. It will therefore be a case law useful for the evolution of the law, in the field of international crimes », Reacted Benoît Meystre, legal advisor for the NGO Trial International which initiated the trial.
The lawyers of the victims and of Ousman Sonko will now take turns until the last hearing, Friday March 8, during which Ousman Sonko will have the right to speak. The matter will then be put under advisement.
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