/ Africa Issued on: 24/05/2023 – 08:09 Opposition leader Ousmane Sonko speaks throughout a press conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 8, 2021. © Cooper Inveen, Reuters The trial of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on rape charges adjourned early Wednesday, with the district attorney requiring a 10-year prison term in a case that has actually triggered stress in the West African nation. Extremely popular amongst youths, Sonko has actually branded the trial a political plot focused on scuttling his quote for the 2024 presidency. A choice is anticipated to be bied far on June 1, the president of the criminal court stated after the current hearing lasted into the early hours of Wednesday. The trial resumed Tuesday after the court turned down pleas by Sonko and his co-accused for an adjournment after he stopped working for a 2nd time going to go to the legal face-off. Sonko has actually been charged with rape and making death dangers versus a worker of a beauty parlor in Dakar. Sonko, 48, has actually stated he went to the beauty salon for a massage for persistent neck and back pain and rejects any attack. Plaintiff Adji Sarr preserved her allegations in Tuesday’s hearing, stating she had actually been mistreated 5 times by Sonko. She likewise stated she had actually gotten death risks. Sonko’s trial opened on May 16 however was right away adjourned up until May 23 after he stopped working to go to. Stating he feared for his security, Sonko had actually stated he would not appear in court without state assurances for his individual security. Sonko is thought to be in the southern city of Ziguinchor, a number of hundred kilometres (miles) from Dakar, where he is mayor. If founded guilty, Sonko dangers being disqualified to run. Sonko, president of the PASTEF-Patriots celebration, can be found in 3rd in the 2019 election versus incumbent Macky Sall. Senegal is generally a beacon of stability in distressed West Africa, however in the last few years has actually been buffeted by turbulence that has at times turned lethal. When Sonko was apprehended in 2021, a number of days of demonstrations left a minimum of 12 individuals dead. 3 other individuals passed away throughout clashes in between Sonko advocates and cops ahead of the start of procedures on May 16. Political stress have actually likewise been stired by Sall’s rejection to dismiss running for a 3rd term as president, a relocation his challengers state would be unconstitutional. Sall was chosen in 2012, when the governmental term was 7 years, and re-elected in 2019, when the required was lowered to 5 years. (AFP) Read more on associated subjects:
Senegal district attorney requires 10-year prison term for opposition leader Sonko
