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Breaking News: UDP'S Rambo Jatta, Kanyiba Kanyi released at last!
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Breaking News: UDP'S Rambo Jatta, Kanyiba Kanyi released at last!
.jpg) In what appeared to be a Presidential gesture to free political prisoners, the detained UDP official Ousaman Jatta, alias Rambo has been released from custody after spending one year behind bars at Sare Nngai police station, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Rambo was released alongside with the CCF official Kanyiba Kanyi. The popular politician who appeared confident traveled many hours before he could access his family in Bakau. Mr. Jatta who was in an excited mood said he thanked God for giving him chance to reunite with his family. The popular politician told our Correspondent that he was held at the Sare Ngai police station for the past months without any formal charge proffered against him. “ I want to thank God for allowing me to see my family once again. I'm well and fit.” he said
The two were detained on alleged security reasons. The Gambian State had earlier denied holding the accused persons. Concerned by the detainees plight, Human Rights Lawyer Ousainou Darboe filed a law suit against the Gambian Government. Darboe in a court deposition urges the court to issue a declaration condemning the continued detention of his clients. He also asked the court to compel the Jammeh Government to produce the bodies of Kanyiba and Rambo.
A sizeable crowd of excited UDP supporters converged at Rambo’s house in Bakau, where speakers upon speakers deplored the unconstitutional detention of Kanyiba and Rambo. “ This Government trades on lies. How can they say they don’t have Rambo in their custody and set him free? Many people have disappeared under similar circumstances. The lucky ones reunite with their families, while the unlucky ones died in custody. We are very pleased that two of party strong men are back home. Yahya Jammeh owns the judiciary. He releases these people based on his own accord and free will. This is a mockery to our judicial system. I think the office of the CJ should exert its independence and charge these criminals for perjury and contempt of court.” said a UDP supporter.
This reporter was one of the first journalists, who got into contact with Rambo shortly after his release. Rambo is presently relaxing at his Bakau home. He praised God for spearing his life and enabling his family reunion.
While the released UDP officials, are not keen at discussing their plight in custody at this hour, reports have it that the detainees suffered all kinds of torture from the hands of their captives. This paper gathered that the detainees were strictly warned by their captives not to ever discuss or entertain conversation regarding the condition of their detention. Failure to follow such official directives continued our source, means more trouble for the two.
In The Gambia, torture victims are afraid to talk about their plight. This is attributable to the political climate in the West African country. Government torture agents threatened such victims with death should they ever talk about their plight openly. As a result of this, many prefer to conceal such horrible experiences from their loved ones or members of the media.
The Gambian Government recently detained two Amnesty International staffers and a local journalist. The detainees who were later set free were accused of spying. The two Amnesty officials were later allowed to leave the country. They earlier had their passports seized by the state.
Gambia’s Human Rights situation had declined sharply in recent months. Cases of alleged extra judicial killings, torture of political prisoners, arrest, abductions and harassment political opponents are common in that country. Many investors have turned their back to the country in view of the ailing political climate. |
Posted on Sunday, October 14, 2007 (Archive on Tuesday, October 30, 2007)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI
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