Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Senegalese activist Bah Diakhate and preacher Imam Cheikh Tidiane Ndao have been released from prison after completing their three-month sentences. The two were found guilty of spreading false news and were fined 100,000 CFA francs each. According to their lawyer, Alioune Badara Fall, both individuals have now served their time and regained their freedom.

The arrests stemmed from separate incidents involving the dissemination of inflammatory content online. Bah Diakhate was apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) after releasing a video that targeted opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. The video criticized Sonko’s comments regarding homosexuality, made during the visit of French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Meanwhile, Imam Cheikh Tidiane Ndao faced legal consequences for a video in which he criticized the Prime Minister, accusing him of showing leniency towards homosexuality. The statements in both videos sparked significant controversy and led to the eventual prosecution of the two men.

Their conviction and subsequent release highlight the growing tensions in Senegal over sensitive topics like LGBTQ+ rights, where both religious figures and political activists have played a central role in shaping public discourse. These developments occur in a broader context of heightened political polarization and the increasing influence of social media in amplifying contentious narratives.

The case also draws attention to the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the legal boundaries set to prevent the spread of misinformation in Senegal, where authorities are increasingly monitoring online content for potential violations in a complex interplay between activism, religion, and accountability.