Senegalese opposition chief claims innocence in rape case

Senegalese opposition chief claims innocence in rape case

Senegal’s predominant opposition chief and presidential candidate, Ousmane Sonko, has claimed his innocence as he made his first courtroom look in Dakar on Thursday to reply to accusations of rape.

‘He has, as you may think about, contested the details and has dismissed the accusation. He supplied all of the proof of his innocence,’ stated one in every of his legal professionals, Bamba Cissé.

The 48-year-old politician, who got here third within the final presidential election and plans to run once more in 2024, has been accused of raping an worker of a magnificence salon the place he was getting a therapeutic massage.

Sonko tweeted after the three-hour listening to that he believed it had gone very properly.

Cissé described the case as a ‘state conspiracy’, a declare made repeatedly by the opposition chief, and stated that it needs to be dropped.

‘We count on a complete dismissal of the case in relation to those non-existent details, that have been the supply of a plan hatched by individuals lurking within the shadows who merely needed to remove a political opponent,’ stated Cissé.

Safety tight in Dakar

There was a big safety presence all through the town for the listening to, notably round Sonko’s dwelling and the courtroom constructing within the capital.

Yesterday, Sonko urged his supporters to stay calm.

‘I ask you solemnly to go about your online business, to not come to my home, nor to the courtroom, nor to rally, as a result of that is an atypical process. It is not going to be resolved tomorrow,’ he stated.

His arrest and indictment final yr led to a number of days of lethal riots, looting and destruction.

Members of Sonko’s Yewwi Askan Wi opposition coalition have expressed their assist for his or her chief, saying they may stand collectively within the face of any injustice.

The authorities have denied any misuse of state establishments within the authorized proceedings towards Sonko.

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