Jammeh warns against increasing murder cases in Gambia

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - The Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has warned against the increasing number of murder cases in his country, saying the development is "unacceptable", according to a statement from the presidency, received here by PANA Thursday.

Jammeh's warning followed three separate incidents of murder cases that took place in the West African country within the past few days.

“Within just 72 hours, we saw the gruesome murders of three people and one infanticide contrary to the belief and agreement that a halt on the executions will influence a reduction in murder cases in the country. This sudden escalation of senseless murders of innocent citizens is unacceptable,” the statement noted.

The presidency also alerted the country's 'council of elders', youth and women groups on the development.

The groups were said to have recently appealed to the Gambian leader for a moratorium on the execution of convicted murderers.

PANA recalls that the Gambian leader, in recently suspending the execution of death row prisoners, said much would depend on the level of crime rate in the country.

He conditionally stated that with the moratorium, a decrease in violent crime would make it become "indefinite" while an increase in violent crime rate would see the moratorium automatically lifted.
-0- PANA MLJ/VAO 4Oct2012