Gambian police charge activist with false publication, broadcasting

Banjul, The Gambia (PANA) -  The Gambia Tuesday invited Madi Jobarteh, a leading human rights activist,  for questioning and later charged him with false publication and broadcasting, an official source said here.

The Kanifing police division headquarters, about 10 km outside Banjul, invited Jobarteh over comments he made against late Haruna Jatta, Kebba Secka and Ousman Darboe during a protest dubbed ‘Blacks Lives Matter’ held at the gates of the American embassy, Kairaba Avenue, last Saturday but was later granted bail.  

Gambia police spokesperson Superintendent Lamin Njie confirmed Jobarteh’s invitation by the police, saying he was monitoring to get details and could not say much.

“I am in the office of a Deputy Commissioner Pateh Bah. He said he invited me to shed light on my comments on murder of Haruna Jatta, Kebba Secka and Ousman Darboe.”

“I told him I don’t have to justify or explain my opinion especially to the State. I told him that if the police disagree, let them issue a statement to refute my claims. He said no they won’t do that and I was violating their rights for saying my opinion.

“I told him if there is no more questions I would want to leave. He then asked his officers to block me from going. He said I have to write a statement and I refused. He said by force I have to write a statement.  They have now blocked me from leaving. I asked him if I was under arrest and he said no. Therefore I take it as kidnapping,” Jobarteh wrote on his Facebook page earlier. 

Jobarteh was released and asked to report at the police station Wednesday morning

-0-     PANA    MSS/RA    30Jun2020