Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Journalist Pape Birame Bigué Ndiaye of Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS) has been released on bail after being charged with “acts against nature” by an investigating judge at the Pikine-Guédiawaye court.
Ndiaye, who was arrested last Tuesday while covering a press conference by the public prosecutor, is the 17th person implicated in the ongoing investigation known as the “Pape Cheikh Diallo and others” case.
According to sources close to the case, Ndiaye was subjected to an HIV screening test like the other accused persons, and the result came back negative.
However, two other individuals who presented alongside him on Friday did not receive the same treatment.
The investigating magistrate ordered their detention on charges including criminal association, acts against nature, deliberate transmission of HIV/AIDS, and money laundering. They have joined several other suspects already in custody as part of the same case.
Reasons Behind Journalist’s Release
Judicial sources indicated that Ndiaye’s release under judicial supervision was based on several factors.
Firstly, he was not caught in the act of committing the alleged offence. His arrest followed statements made by another suspect, identified as Magib Seck, who mentioned his name during the investigation.
Secondly, investigators reportedly found romantic messages exchanged between Ndiaye and Seck. While such messages may be socially sensitive, they do not in themselves constitute a criminal offense under Senegalese law.
Thirdly, Ndiaye’s negative HIV test meant he could not be charged with the deliberate transmission of the virus, one of the more serious accusations in the case.
Finally, although investigators said they had identified certain indications suggesting possible acts against nature, there was no concrete evidence or confession to substantiate the allegation.
As a result, the judge opted to charge him and place him under judicial supervision rather than order his detention. The investigation into the wider case remains ongoing.
