Africa-Press – Senegal. The State of Senegal has become a civil party in the proceedings opened by the Dakar prosecutor’s office against the opponent Ousmane Sonko and his French lawyer, Juan Branco, in order to obtain compensation for losses and harm suffered during violent protests in Dakar and other cities.
“By letter dated August 7, 2023, the State judicial officer informed the investigating judges of his application as a civil party in the proceedings opened against Mr. Ousmane Sonko, Mr. Juan Branco, and possible accomplices or co-authors,” said Me Ndèye Anta Mbaye.
Me Mbaye, a member of the pool of lawyers of the State judicial agent, announced this decision during a press conference.
These lawyers, including Mes El Hadji Diouf and Ousmane Thiam, will « constitute themselves in these procedures […] concerning the degradation, loss and damage inflicted on the State of Senegal », she told journalists.
« The State, unlike the public prosecutor’s office, whose mission is to prosecute criminal offenses and enforce sentences, may bring civil action to obtain compensation for damage suffered as a result of a criminal offence », is – he writes in the statement read by Me Mbaye to the press.
“It should be remembered that during the various demonstrations, looting and looting, public property was the target of thugs. These goods, which have a strong social value, have been damaged or completely destroyed”, argue the legal agent of the State and his lawyers.
They add that the public authorities “reserve[d] the right to assess the extent of the damage suffered […] and will spare no effort to make effective compensation for the damage suffered”.
The State judicial agent and his lawyers allude to the looting that occurred in particular after the sentencing of Ousmane Sonko, on June 1 , to two years in prison for “youth corruption”, at the end of his trial. for rape and threats against Miss Adji Sarr.
“Insurrectionary movements”
Mr. Sonko was arrested on July 28 and charged with calling for insurrection, criminal association, undermining state security and conspiracy against state authority.
The opponent placed under arrest warrant on July 31 is also accused by the Dakar prosecutor’s office of acts and maneuvers likely to compromise public security and create serious political unrest, criminal association in connection with a terrorist enterprise and flight.
On the day of his indictment, the Minister of the Interior, Antoine Diome, announced the dissolution of his party.
« Pastef […] has frequently called his supporters to insurrectional movements, » argued Mr. Diome, which the leaders of the said political formation and its activists continue to deny.
Mr Sonko is ranked third in the 2019 presidential election, behind former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck and Macky Sall, who won re-election. Pastef-The Patriots and its allies constitute one of the main parliamentary groups in the legislature elected on July 31, 2022.
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