Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – A prosecutor at the Court of Flagrant Offenses in Dakar has requested a six-month prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 CFA francs for both Bah Diakhate and Imam Cheikh Tidiane Ndao. The two men stood trial on Monday, May 27, facing charges of “disseminating false news” and “offending” the head of government, Ousmane Sonko.

The public prosecutor at the Dakar High Court issued arrest warrants for Bah Diakhate, a prominent pro-Macky Sall activist, and Imam Cheikh Tidiane Ndao. The charges arise from their alleged dissemination of false information and insults directed at a person exercising presidential prerogatives, in this case, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. According to articles 254, paragraph 2, and 255 of the Penal Code, these offenses carry significant legal consequences.

The accusations are linked to their sharp criticisms and insults toward Prime Minister Sonko. They went after his perceived leniency toward a proposal French opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélanchon made while in a visit in Dakar. Mélanchon had suggested that Senegal legislate to grant more rights to the LGBTQ community. Sonko’s response, stating that Senegal tolerates homosexuality, sparked backlash from Diakhate and Ndao, leading to their subsequent legal troubles.

The court’s decision is pending. The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for the ongoing debate over freedom of speech and LGBTQ rights in Senegal.