The trial of Senegalese opposition chief Ousmane Sonko on rape expenses resumed in a court docket in Dakar on Tuesday even supposing he failed for the second time operating to attend the proceedings.

There was a robust safety presence within the capital amid fears of protests which have flared sporadically for the reason that opposition chief and presidential candidate was first detained in 2021.

Sonko has been charged with rape and making dying threats towards an worker of a magnificence salon in Dakar.

He denies all wrongdoing saying the trial is a political plot geared toward scuttling his bid for the 2024 presidency. The federal government has rejected the accusation.

On Friday, the opposition celebration chief stated he would attend Tuesday’s listening to if his security might be assured. His legal professionals say he didn’t obtain a summons to seem in court docket.

“So, that is why right this moment the legal professionals intervened to say firstly there was this factor, this irregularity. After which there’s additionally the actual fact that there have been safety considerations which meant that Sonko couldn’t come, even when he wished to,” stated his lawyer, Massokhna Kane.

In court docket on Tuesday, Sonko’s legal professionals requested one other adjournment, whereas the lawyer for former salon proprietor, Ndèye Khady Ndiaye, who’s accused of complicity within the alleged rape, requested for extra preparation time.

When the prosecutor dismissed their calls for, each events determined to withdraw from the case.

“All of the defendants are free, there’s completely no urgency to do this case right this moment. So, what occurred is, all of the legal professionals, each these of Ndèye Khady Ndiaye and of Ousmane Sonko, determined to withdraw from the room,” stated Ndiaye’s lawyer, Macodou Ndour.

A conviction for Sonko might put an finish to his plans to run once more for president. He got here in third within the 2019 election towards incumbent Macky Sall.