Gambiaj.com – (VERSAILLES, France) – The Appeals Court of Versailles has ordered the partial extradition of Senegalese journalist Madiambal Diagne, head of Groupe Avenir Communication, in a ruling that sets the stage for a legal battle before France’s highest court.
In a decision delivered on 3 March 2026, the court’s investigating chamber issued a mixed opinion on Senegal’s extradition request, approving the surrender of Diagne for some of the alleged offenses while rejecting others.
The judges based their decision on the principle of specialty, which limits prosecution to the specific offences for which extradition is granted, and the requirement of double criminality, meaning the alleged acts must constitute offenses under both Senegalese and French law.
The ruling stops short of granting Senegal’s request in full but also does not block the extradition entirely.
Reacting swiftly, Diagne’s lawyers, Ousmane Thiam and Philippine Vaganay of the Bourdon law firm, announced their intention to file an appeal before the Cour de cassation.
“This means the decision is neither entirely favorable to extradition nor entirely unfavorable,” said Me Vincent Brengarth, another member of Diagne’s defense team. “For us, it is a half-victory, because it shows that we were partly heard in our arguments.”
However, the defense made clear that they had hoped for a complete rejection of Senegal’s request. Brengarth questioned the coherence of a partial approval, arguing that the reasoning raises practical and legal uncertainties.
“What does it mean to partially authorize extradition?” he asked. “Does it mean that half of the allegations are allowed and the other half are not? That one part of Mr. Diagne would remain in France and another in Senegal? It truly raises questions.”
Under French law, a cassation appeal does not automatically suspend the execution of an extradition order. The appeal, however, challenges the legal soundness of the ruling, particularly the interpretation of applicable statutes and adherence to procedural safeguards.
The outcome before the Cour de cassation will now be decisive in determining whether Madiambal Diagne will ultimately be handed over to Senegalese authorities, and under what legal scope.
