Tamsir Jasseh seen at the Hospital-Jasseh Laments Deplorable Prison Conditions

By Foday Dumbuya

The jailed former Immigration Director Tamsir Jasseh was seen at the Royal Victoria Hospital today. Mr.Jasseh is to serve 20 years behind bars for his alleged involvement on the March 2006 abortive coup led by Colonel Ndure Cham was spotted at the RVTH for treatment today, the Freedom Newspaper can authoritatively report.

 Dressed in his new prison jumper, blue with white lines at the edges and a white rectangular color on his chest pocket Tamsir Jasseh lamented about the deplorable conditions at the Mile Two prison. Jasseh  told his visitors that he was not well and has not been feeling well since his imprisonment couple of months ago.

 According to Tamsir Jasseh  who was sentenced alongside with Captain Bunja Darboe and others "The sudden change of place makes life uncomfortable that is why man falls sick." He was talking to some women who stood at the entrance window of the hospital by the gate where the hospital security stands. He took his head out of the window and spoke in a low but calm voice as he sucked ice in a plastic. The former police chief appeared weak and pale.

For now, Tamsir Jasseh is concerned about his ailing health status. Mr.Jasseh is yet to recover from the brutal torture he suffered from the hands of the late Major Musa Jammeh and Tumbul Tamba. He complained about constant back and spinal pain.

Mr.Jasseh would be close to seventy years at the time of his release from jail. A former Desert Storm Veteran, Tamsir Jasseh was sentenced to 20 years in jail with hard labor. Apparently, he is being denied access to a balanced diet, proper medication and good environmental sanitation whilst in prison. The Gambian Government has been violating the inmates rights. Some of the inmates eat and defecate in their confinement cells. These cells are too tiny to accommodate a human being. Poor ventilation, overcrowding and poor swage system has been a common problem at the Mile Two.

 Meanwhile, Tamsir Jasseh has not been not been diagnosed yet so no reasons was given for his going to hospital or it is not sure what sickness he has. He ascertained that life in a new place like prison was not comfortable, "It is a real different place. Change of environment makes people feel sick." He said. He is not as himself, he looks thinner than before but he still smiles. He spoke to only women and other men ignored him.

Meanwhile, another prisoner was seen in the Emergency ward in pain with no one helping him.