Angry demonstators took to the streets of the coastal town of Brufut in The Gambia on Wednesday to demand the release of acquitted and discharged suspects linked to the double murder of policemen three years ago.
Ousainou Bojang, a resident of the town and his sister Amie Bojang have been in custody since the former was accused of the April 2023 shooting deaths of two police officers at a busy roundabout near the town of Sukuta.
However state prosecutors could not establish beyond reasonable doubt claims that Ousainou had pulled the trigger that killed the officers on duty and his sister as an accessory to the murders by allegedly faclitating his flight to Casamance, southern Senegal hours after the shootings.
In vew of lack of proper evidence to nail the Bojang siblings to the crime, the high court had discharged them without delay.
The case took a fresh new turn when 24 hours after their acquittal and discharge verdict, the two were rearrested from their home in Brufut and retaken into custody, causing widespread public outcry led by activists under the Gambia Against Looted Asset (GALA) who had staged similar protests over the questionable sale of assets belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.
Their rearrest became the catalyst for street protests in the Westfield crowd rallying point in Serrekunda and Brufut where hundreds of young people occupied the streets and engaged in running battles with anti-riot police who threw teargas at the demonstration.
As the unrest unfolded, shops and other businesses in the otherwise busy Brufut business hub had closed.
Several people were injured as protesters clashed with the police well into Wednesday afternoon.
Demonstrators accused state authorities of direct interference in the course of justice regarded Ousainou Bojang’s case whose prosecution was seen as largely politically motivated.
According to a statement by the police, Ousainou and Amie have been freed once again following the protests for their release.
WN/as/APA