Federal Criminal Court Sonko trial: defense attorney requests full acquittal
The defense lawyer for Gambian Ousman Sonko, who is accused of crimes against humanity, requested an acquittal on Wednesday. The federal prosecutor's office is demanding a life sentence.
15.04.2026, 15:07
SDA
There was no systematic and widespread attack on the civilian population in The Gambia during the accused period from 2000 to 2016. This was demonstrated by the State Secretariat for Migration's active practice of deporting rejected asylum seekers at that time.
With reference to this practice, the lawyer of the former Gambian Minister of the Interior tried to paint a picture of a state in which his client had carried out his functions in the military, police and finally as minister in an exemplary manner.
The crimes of which Sonko is accused, most of which he is alleged to have been complicit in, range from murder and torture to rape. As before the trial chamber, Sonko also denied any involvement or responsibility before the appeal chamber.
