A former interior minister from the Gambia has been accused of crimes against humanity and other offenses by Swiss prosecutors.
They charge Ousman Sonko of complicity in and failing to stop deliberate attacks against Yahya Jammeh’s opponents.
In the authoritarian government of Mr. Jammeh, who ruled The Gambia for more than 20 years after gaining control in a military coup in the mid-1990s, Mr. Sonko held a number of important positions.
Mr. Sonko is accused by the prosecution of supporting and taking part in repression up until 2016.
Shortly before President Jammeh was overthrown in an election that year, he left The Gambia and sought refuge in Europe.
The repression, prosecutors say, included systematic use of torture, rape and extra- judicial executions.
Mr Sonko has been held in detention in Switzerland for over six years.
He denies ever committing any offences and rejects allegations that crimes against humanity took place in The Gambia at the time.
Speaking to the BBC, his lawyer also accused the Swiss authorities of procedural violations during their lengthy investigation.