The Federal Criminal Court questioned two alleged victims on Wednesday in the trial against former Gambian Interior Minister Ousman Sonko. The defendant denied all the crimes he was accused of, including multiple rapes and torture.

First, the criminal chamber heard from the wife of a military man who was very close to former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh before he was killed in January 2000. According to the indictment, Sonko is said to have raped the widow countless times after killing her husband, beating her, and holding her prisoner for five days in January 2005.

The now 56-year-old explained to the court that for the first six months after her husband’s death, Sonko came to her house very often and repeatedly raped her. She felt like his slave. The defendant came in uniform, and she perceived him as a member of the state guard.

When he first came, she initially thought he had questions about her husband. Her mother, her children, and herself were afraid and feared that they would be taken away.

Victim encouraged by daughter

While the woman was being questioned, Sonko was taken to another room where events in the courtroom were broadcast on video. He denied both involvement in the man’s killing and the rape.

The statements were difficult for the Gambian woman, who now lives in the USA with her children. At one point, the questioning was interrupted so she could collect herself. She told the court that her youngest daughter in particular encouraged her to tell her story publicly.

The 56-year-old testified not only in Bellinzona but also before the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), a truth commission in Gambia that is investigating the era from 1994 to 2017 under former President Yahya Jammeh.

Sonko did not respond to questions about the killing of the respondent’s husband. He claimed that he was subject to a duty of confidentiality.

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The second victim interviewed on Wednesday was also unable to hold back tears at some point during his statements. The 56-year-old military man was accused by the regime at the time of being involved in an attempted coup in March 2006.

He was picked up at home, repeatedly beaten severely, and whipped, he said. A plastic bag was placed over his head so that he fainted or was no longer able to stand on his feet. During the abuse, his hand was broken, which was only treated by a doctor much later.

At some point, he did everything that was asked of him. He was also forced to write a speech that he supposedly wanted to give after the seizure of power. After massive acts of torture in April 2006, he just wanted to die. He hoped they would fire the gun they held to his head.

Victims and their relatives demonstrate in front of the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona. Image: keystone

Before and after the torture, the Gambian was brought before a panel that was supposed to investigate the coup. Sonko was part of this group. The defendant denied the accusation that he was partly responsible for the acts of torture and the detention of the suspects.

Sonko is accused of other crimes against humanity committed between 2000 and 2016. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the acts were carried out as part of a systematic attack on the civilian population.

During the course of the trial, other people who were victims of the regime will be questioned. The hearing will continue on Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Ousman Sonko is a 55-year-old Gambian citizen. After occupying the position of Commander of the presidential guard and of Inspector general of police, he was appointed Minister of the Interior by former dictator Yahya Jammeh in 2006. He held this position until September 2016, when he was removed from office and fled The Gambia.