Ex-minister from Gambia on trial in Switzerland for murdering

A former leader from Gambia will be tried in Switzerland for doing terrible things to people.

Ousman Sonko ran away in 2016, just before Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who was accused of leading a harsh government, was removed from power.

Mr Sonko got arrested because some organizations showed proof that he might have been part of killings, rape, and torture.

However, his lawyer said he did not do it.

Philippe Currat said to the AFP news agency that The Gambia’s National Intelligence Agency has never. Under his control, the alleged crimes took place.

Switzerland is holding a trial using the universal jurisdiction principle, which allows them to prosecute people on their land for crimes committed in other places.

Human rights organizations think this case could be a warning to governments that are strict and controlling, showing them that the law can reach very far.

Switzerland has a long list of charges against Mr Sonko.

This involves taking part in or ordering killings, torture, and rape, all aimed at people who disagree politically. These actions could be considered severe crimes under Swiss law.

Swiss investigators went to The Gambia and talked to many people who said they were victims or saw what happened. Nine of them will be in court to tell their stories.

Mr Sonko is the most important government official to ever be tried in Europe under universal jurisdiction.

Yahya Jammeh was the president of The Gambia from 1996 to 2016. During his time in office, many people were treated unfairly and some were even killed without a fair trial.

Mr Sonko was a very important person to Mr Jammeh. He was in charge of the security services and a group called “the Junglers”.

But in 2016, just before Mr Jammeh also lost power, Mr Sonko ran away to Switzerland and asked for protection.

He was arrested a few months later because an organization called Trial International told the Swiss authorities about the bad things he was supposed to have done.

After visiting The Gambia six times and interviewing 40 people who made complaints, the Swiss attorney general created a document listing the charges.

Benoit Meystre from Trial International thinks that using universal jurisdiction is an important legal rule that shows other people who may have committed a crime that they can be held accountable for their actions. “They can’t escape punishment, or at least being charged with a crime. ”

The case against Mr Sonko is seen as very important.

Many European countries are now using universal jurisdiction, but he is the most important former government official to ever be tried like this.

This is only the second time that Switzerland has ever prosecuted someone for crimes against humanity under universal jurisdiction.

In June 2023, the former leader of a group in Liberia named Alieu Kosiah was given a 20-year prison sentence for doing crimes like rape, murder, and eating human flesh.

Other countries are also charging ex-members of Mr. Jammeh’s government with crimes.

In October, Germany gave Bai Lowe, a former member of a group called “the Junglers”, a life in prison for doing really bad things to people.

There will be a trial in Colorado for someone who used to be part of a group.

The Gambia has started a way to bring justice for the wrong things that happened under Mr Jammeh’s rule. But it is taking a long time, according to human rights groups.

Even in the trial in Switzerland against Mr. Sonko, one of the people who was supposed to talk in court died before the trial started.

But for those who share their stories in court, it helps them feel better. If the federal court finds them guilty, they will feel very relieved. “They will finally get the answers they have been waiting for after many years,” said Mr. Meystre from Trial International.