Gambian police drop charges against activist

Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – Gambian police have dropped all charges against a leading human rights activist, Madi Jobarteh, PANA confirmed in Banjul on Saturday.

“In the spirit of national unity and in recognition of your tremendous efforts in striking a compromise in this saga, I am happy to announce that as the IGP we are dropping all charges against Mr Jobarteh as from today,” Gambia’s Inspector General of Police, Mamut Jobe announced in a statement.

“No further action will be taken against him as far as this matter is concerned,” the Gambian Police Chief said in the statement,  dropping criminal charges slammed against one of Gambia’s leading human rights activists.

Jobarteh was charged with false publication and broadcasting without permit. A charge he denied.

Meanwhile, according to the spokesperson of Gambia’s Police Force, ASP Lamin Njie, the decision to drop charges against Jobarteh was facilitated by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society groups and a good number of concerned individuals.

“They interceded in his favour in order to deescalate a situation that attracted international attention,” he said.

The London-based International free expression body, Article 19 recently joined the chorus of condemnations of charges of false information and broadcasting” slammed against the rights activist.

PANA recalled that in June, Jobarteh spearheaded a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in front of the American Embassy in Banjul during which he took a swipe at the country’s authorities, suggesting that Black Lives are also threatened in the West African nation.

-0- PANA MLJ/AR 11July2020