The Gambia: UPDATE on Musa Saidykhan “tortured” case

Barring any further adjournments, Musa Saidykhan, a Gambian journalist and his medical doctor will on June 2, 2010 physically give evidence to the ECOWAS Community Court hearing his complaint of “torture” at the hands of Gambian state security agents, while in illegal detention in 2006.

Saidykhan, former editor-in-chief of the banned Banjul based The Independent newspaper could not testify on the two previous occasions that he was to give testimony because the court did not sit.  On the first adjourned date of February 17, for instance, the Gambian authorities, the defendants in the case, were not in court with an excuse that the day was a public holiday in the Gambia. The authorities therefore asked the court for an adjournment which was granted and fixed April 27, however, the court could not constitute a panel. 

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in 2007 instituted the legal action on behalf of Saidykhan, who had fled the Gambia for his safety.  Saidykhan was among a long list of victims who were arrested and detained illegally for a long period without trial or charge in the aftermath of an alleged coup attempt in March 2006.

Saidykhan in his writ said he was repeatedly tortured until he became unconscious. The continuous torture left scars on his back, legs, arms, and right hand, which was broken in three places. He fled the country to neighbouring Senegal, where he received treatment.

Issued by the MFWA, Accra, June 1, 2010

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.

For more information please contact:

Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-21-24 24 70
Fax: 233-21-22 10 84
Email: mfwa@africaonline.com.ghThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.mediafound.org

- June 1, 2010 by MFWA

.................

Source:www.mediafound.org/index.php (accessed on 01.06.10)