 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Aug 2017 : 14:38:36
|
Nothing has been agreed yet the suggestion that,
"The Gambia also sought mutual legal assistance from Switzerland in the prosecution of the suspect, that is, if the extradition will take place."
These words suggest to me that Gambia & Switzerland are on good terms in relation to this matter.
=======================================================================
Friday, August 04, 2017
The Gambian authorities have contacted the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Switzerland requesting for the possible extradition of the ex-Interior minister to face trial for his crimes in Banjul.
According to judicial sources in Switzerland, The Gambia has promised to give Sonko a fair trial if Swiss authorities agree to the extradition request.
However, no decision has been reached about such an extradition yet.
The Gambia also sought mutual legal assistance from Switzerland in the prosecution of the suspect, that is, if the extradition will take place.
Sonko is accused of having been present during acts of torture. He was arrested in Lyss, outside of Zurich, after a Geneva-based NGO, Trial International, filed complaints of alleged crimes against humanity at the prosecutor’s office against him.
“The prosecutor’s office yesterday also announced that it has extended criminal investigations to other offences after hearing testimonies and complaints of more witnesses. That is why it requested for an extension of the detention of the ex-Interior Minister,” the judicial source said.
This ongoing pre-trial detention of the former Jammeh minister was therefore extended once again for three months. This is the second time Sonko has been denied bail and instead compelled to stay in detention of the Swiss authorities while the investigations are ongoing.
In May, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office obtained an extension after his arrest in January.
Under the principle of International jurisprudence, Swiss authorities are compelled to arrest and prosecute suspects accused of crimes against humanity, even if those crimes are alleged to have taken place outside of Switzerland.
Under Swiss laws too, the courts can keep a suspect in detention for up to a year while such investigations are on.
Meanwhile, further charges are being prepared against Sonko, according to the prosecutors, yesterday morning.
They stopped short of specifying the nature of these new charges, maintaining that the principle of “presumption of innocence” applies.
Author: Sanna Camara
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-seeks-extradition-of-ousman-sonko
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 04 Aug 2017 19:49:04 |
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2017 : 13:29:09
|
CLARIFICATION:
Seven witnesses have so far been secured by the authorities from The Gambia. They flew to Switzerland to give testimonies in a pre-trial investigation which under Swiss laws empowers the courts to detain suspects for up to a year.
"Asked if the government prefers Sonko to be tried in Switzerland instead of The Gambia, Minister Tambadou said: “Whatever the government prefers does not make any difference. He is being prosecuted before the courts and we are cooperating with the Swiss authorities in that.”
He explained that the Swiss authorities are requesting for information and material that will assist them in prosecuting Ousman Sonko, and that The Gambia is providing those it has."
================================================================================================================================
Monday, August 07, 2017
The Gambia government is not reaching out to the Swiss authorities to extradite Ousman Sonko, the Minister of Justice has said over the weekend.
Swiss papers on Thursday reported a possible extradition of former Interior minister Ousman Sonko, based on talks that the Gambia and Swiss authorities are engaged in.
However, Justice Minister Baboucarr Tambadou said their cooperation with the Swiss authorities is not for the extradition of Sonko.
“We are cooperating in their investigations and prosecution of Ousman Sonko [in Switzerland],” he told The Point on the sidelines of the launch of the consultations on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRRC) over the weekend.
Sonko was arrested in Lyss, Switzerland, after a Geneva-based NGO, Trial International filed complaints of alleged crimes against humanity at the prosecutor’s office in January.
In May, his detention was extended as the authorities intensify probe into allegations of crimes of torture reported to have been committed under Sonko when he served as Minister of Interior under Jammeh.
The prosecutor’s office on Thursday again announced that it has extended criminal investigations to other offenses after hearing testimonies and complaints of more witnesses.
That is why it requested for an extension of the detention of the ex-Interior Minister.
Seven witnesses have so far been secured by the authorities from The Gambia. They flew to Switzerland to give testimonies in a pre-trial investigation which under Swiss laws empowers the courts to detain suspects for up to a year.
Asked if the government prefers Sonko to be tried in Switzerland instead of The Gambia, Minister Tambadou said: “Whatever the government prefers does not make any difference. He is being prosecuted before the courts and we are cooperating with the Swiss authorities in that.”
He explained that the Swiss authorities are requesting for information and material that will assist them in prosecuting Ousman Sonko, and that The Gambia is providing those it has.
Author: Sanna Camara
Source: Picture: Justice Minister Tambadou
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/govt-will-not-extradite-ousman-sonko-justice-minister |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Ousman Sonko returning to Gambia ?
