Gambiaj.com – (PARIS, France) – Madiambal Diagne, the prominent Senegalese journalist and media tycoon, has been released without bail in France as the French judiciary continues to review Senegal’s request for his extradition.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, October 21, by Diagne’s collective of French and Senegalese lawyers, the First President of the Versailles Court of Appeal ruled that Diagne would remain free under judicial supervision while the investigation proceeds. The decision, the lawyers said, took into account Diagne’s professional stature and lack of flight risk.
“Given that our client is a well-known journalist, media owner, and public figure, with no evidence suggesting he intends to evade the extradition process, the court decided to allow him to remain free,” the statement read.
The release follows Diagne’s arrest earlier the same day, when he was taken into custody to be formally notified of the international arrest warrant issued by Senegal on September 26.
The warrant stems from allegations of kickbacks in a case linked to public contracts, charges Diagne and his lawyers have denounced as “totally baseless and procedurally irregular.”
His legal team, which includes notable lawyers such as William Bourdon, Vincent Brengarth, and El Hadj Amadou Sall, expressed confidence in the French judicial process, pledging to challenge Senegal’s request before the investigating chamber in Versailles.
“The accusations contained in the extradition demand are unfounded and manifestly irregular. We remain confident that the French justice system will recognize this,” the defense team declared.
Diagne, a close associate of former Senegalese President Macky Sall, is known for his sharp political commentaries and outspoken criticism of Senegal’s current leadership.
His arrest in France, and the ensuing extradition demand, have sparked debate in Senegal, where many view the move as politically motivated.
The case will now proceed to the Instruction Chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeal, which will determine whether the conditions for extradition are met under French law. Until then, Diagne remains free to continue his activities in France under judicial supervision.
