Sonko’s lawyer denounces political agenda behind conviction

Senegal’s prime opposition chief Ousmane Sonko was convicted on Thursday for defamation and insults towards the Minister of Tourism.

Sonko’s lawyer claims there’s a political agenda behind the court docket’s resolution.

“I’ve stated that ‘politics’ is within the courthouse and that it’s dropping its proper (rule of legislation) and its understanding. However even when the defendant will not be defended, the court docket has the duty to evaluate serenely and to see if it doesn’t have causes and means to dismiss or cancel the proceedings, however they didn’t fear about that. In reality, it’s a political agenda” claimed Ciré Clédor Ly, lawyer of opposition chief, Ousmane Sonko.

Along with a two-month suspended sentence, Sonko may also must pay about $330,000 to the Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang. 

Talking to the press after the listening to Niang’s lawyer was pleased with the decision.

“It’s a verdict that consecrates the victory of Mame Mbaye Niang. Ousmane Sonko fled the talk in the present day, behaved like a patron, as a result of he has no parts, he has no arguments, he has no proof to offer to the court docket”, stated El-hadji Diouf, lawyer of Senegal’s minister of tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang.

Sonko’s supporters see the costs towards him as the newest try to chop brief his political profession, together with his possible presidential candidacy in 2024.

Sonko completed third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and has known as on President Macky Sall to declare publicly that he received’t search a 3rd time period.