APA-Banjul (The Gambia) A former Gambian minister faces multiple crime against humanity charges in Switzerland over his alleged roles in gross human rights violations thought to have been committed under ex president Yahya Jammeh between 2006 and 2016.
Former Interior minister Ousman Sonko has been seeking refuge in Switzerland since November 2016.
According to prosecutors in Switzerland, Sonko will face charges related to his alleged involvement in organising and executing campaigns of repression against Jammeh’s political opponents with the aid of Gambian security institutions, including the army and intelligence apparatus.
Mr. Sonko, 54, has been under the custody of the Swiss authorities since January 2017, shortly after applying for political ayslum in the lead up to the December 2016 presidential elections which Jammeh lost to current successor Adama Barrow.
He is being held over suspicion of involvement in alleged crimes against humanity during exiled ex President Jammeh’s 22-year rule in The Gambia.
The lawsuit against Mr. Sonko was filed by Swiss prosecutors on Monday and he will likely appear before a judge at a date yet to be determined to answer charges ranging from aiding, abetting and being a participant in the repression of Jammeh’s political detractors.
He will also answer charges of failing to prevent alleged atrocities in The Gambia as a senior government official between 2006 and 2016.
WN/as/APA