Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s advocates fear the case is an effort by Senegal’s president to eliminate a possibly popular competitor.
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko will deal with trial on charges of rape and making death hazards to a beauty parlor worker in 2021, an examining judge has actually stated.
The judge referred the matter to Senegal’s criminal chamber for trial in a letter dated January 17 and seen by Reuters news company on Wednesday.
Sonko’s legal representative did not instantly react to an ask for remark, however the 48-year-old political leader has actually formerly rejected all the charges.
A trial might jeopardise his intent to contend in the 2024 governmental election. Sonko, who came 3rd in the 2019 election, has actually revealed he will run.
It might likewise stir political stress in Senegal. Clashes broke out in the nation in March 2021 when Sonko was at first summoned by the examining judge and jailed.
Sonko is implicated of sexually attacking a lady who operated in a massage parlour and later on threatening her. He and his backers state the trial is politically encouraged to remove him from the governmental race.
He takes pleasure in prevalent assistance amongst Senegalese youth, much of who are annoyed with the federal government as joblessness and financial challenge have actually stayed high, causing erratic and in some cases violent demonstrations.
Cries of “Macky Sall is a totalitarian” sounded out in Dakar throughout one demonstration in July 2022.
El Hadj Diouf, attorney for the complainant, stated his customer was thrilled by the judge’s choice.
“It does not come as a surprise. We have absolutely nothing to conceal,” he informed Reuters by telephone.
Some opposition leaders and Sonko’s advocates fear the case is an effort by Senegal’s President Macky Sall, 61, to get rid of a possibly popular competitor if he chooses to look for a 3rd term in the middle of diminishing assistance.
Sall’s federal government has actually turned down the allegation stating the matter is for the courts to manage.
Other competitors have actually been the topic of criminal charges in the past, consisting of previous Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, the child of previous President Abdoulaye Wade, removing them from the 2019 governmental race.
Sall’s 2nd term will be up in 2024. He has not stated whether he will run for a 3rd term.