British Tourist In Court For Insulting President Jammeh!!!!

By Staff Writer Justice Sam, Banjul

Rene Beulen, a British national has denied insulting Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh, a court in Brikama heard Tuesday. The British subject, who appeared confident while on the dock, has been charged with sedition. If convicted, Mr. Beulen will serve between six months or nothing less than three years behind bars. Court records say Rene Beulen insulted President Jammeh. The particulars of  the offence indicate that Beulen this past Saturday accuses President Jammeh of discriminating against white people by increasing taxi fares for visiting tourists.  Beulen was said to have also accuses  President Jammeh of being greedy and corrupt.  Police say the accused was using profanity language against the commander-in-chief, a charge the British subject vehemently denied. 

At a court appearance Tuesday, in Brikama, Mr. Beulen said he never made such accusations against President Jammeh. He maintains his innocence. His request for bail was granted and was scheduled to reappear in court on April 9, 2009. He has fulfilled the bail conditions attached to his release.

Judicial sources say Mr. Beulen was implicated by a local informant who accuses him insulting the President.  It has also been gathered that police tried to extort money from him, which he declined.

 British tourists have complained about police harassment over the years. Police attached to the Tourism Development Area, connived with local taxi drivers to inflate taxi fares. In some instances, some the police officers will serve as tourist guide, while on off duty.