Senegal: the Minister of Justice speaks on the case of Ousmane Sonko and Juan Branco

In Senegal, Justice Minister Ismaila Madior Fall spoke to the press about the release under judicial supervision of controversial French lawyer Juan Branco, known for defending Julian Assange or the yellow vests in France.

Senegalese police officers stand guard outside the courthouse, where opposition politician Ousmane Sonko was being heard by the chief judge following accusations brought by the prosecutor, in Dakar on July 31, 2023. AFP - SEYLLOU

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With our correspondent in Dakar, Théa Ollivier

While Juan Branco was under an international arrest warrant, he had entered Senegalese territory "illegally" last week to defend the political opponent Ousmane Sonko, detained for calling for insurrection and currently in hospital while he is on his ninth day of hunger strike.

This is the ninth day of hunger strike for Ousmane Sonko, who has been incarcerated in Sébikotane prison since 31 July, charged with "calling for insurrection".

While he was admitted on Sunday, August 6, to the emergency room of the main hospital in Dakar, one of the largest in the capital, the Minister of Justice, Ismaila Madior Fall, wanted to be reassuring about his state of health: "When he arrived at the main hospital, he underwent treatment. I do not want to go into personal considerations, in his health report (...) he has received the care, he is better

Regarding the Franco-Spanish lawyer, Juan Branco, the Minister of Justice confirms that he was taken to Reubeuss prison on Sunday, August 6, then that he was presented to the investigating judge on Monday morning, August 7. The judge therefore charged him, but granted him provisional release.

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He is not a Senegalese national, he does not have Senegalese nationality. He has his family, he has his profession, but beware: the judicial investigation procedure continues against him. It can be judged when the investigation is closed. We have judicial cooperation relations with the France which means that he can, for example, serve this possible sentence in France," said Ismaila Madior Fall.

The Minister of the Interior has issued an order to expel Juan Branco from Senegalese territory that he should leave in the coming hours, according to the Minister of Justice.

" READ ALSO Senegal: the opponent Ousmane Sonko again charged

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