Criminal proceedings against Ousman Sonko continue
Published: Tuesday, Jan 9th 2024, 14:20
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The Criminal Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court has decided that the proceedings against former Gambian Interior Minister Ousman Sonko will continue. The amended indictment is valid, contrary to the criticism of the defense lawyer.
Last year, the court had invited the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) to make certain additions if necessary. This is legally permissible, the presiding judge stated on the second day of the trial. He rejected the defense counsel's request to rely on the first version of the indictment.
According to the judge, the question of Switzerland's jurisdiction to conduct these proceedings and the possible statute of limitations for certain offenses could not be decided by the court in the context of the preliminary questions.
Only after the evidence has been evaluated can a decision be made as to whether a systematic attack on the civilian population took place in The Gambia. This would determine whether the crimes should be qualified as crimes against humanity and which statutes of limitations apply.
©Keystone/SDA
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