L-ers,
Today, the 24th of April, it is 10 months since Dumo was arrested. He (and his co-accused) are still detained under harsh conditions in the security wing at Mile II.

Since in the middle of November they are allowed to receive visitors  - twice a day - even if only for 10-15 minutes and under strict observation of course.

I used the last opportunity to travel with the tourist flight before the closure of the season and have just returned to Sweden after two weeks in The Gambia, i.e Mile II morning and afternoon and some sessions with the lawyers, Boka Loho and others.
I estimate that during these two weeks, Dumo and I were able to talk for about five hours all together.
Dumo is still comparatively OK although of course very fed up with the situation. Reading keeps him alive but he is not even allowed to have a pen so no writing is possible. (During the last week a new rule was also introduced,  it is no longer allowed to hug or kiss even as a greeting.) Otherwise his spirit is unbroken and he is very convinced that the truth will one day prevail and that they will be released. He has no illusions about the time though and is expecting it to drag for a long time still.

I was hoping - in vain - that there should also be a court session during my stay but up to now not even a date is set for the continuation of the trial.
According to my information three judges have been assigned - Grant, Kabalata & Janneh - but it seems a lot of cases are delayed since their contracts (or at least some) needs to be renewed.

It seems that the government wants the whole affair to be forgotten and silenced, since I assume they cannot afford the exposure that will be unavoidable when the trial reaches the real issue of the so called treason. Until now every hearing has dealt with procedures.

Friends, help to keep the public attention alive on this case! Write, ask questions and make noice to force the judiciary to continue the legal process or release them on bail - they have wasted too much time already!

Also don't forget Lt Sanneh - another victim, since Jan 2000. Case finally dismissed in High Court three months ago, immediately rearrested and now awaiting Court Marshal when even the DPP refuses to go further with the case. 

I am convinced that there are many, many more victims of the same kind, just dumped in Mile II and other prisons, and forgotten or never known because their families are afraid of questioning. Civilian courage is something highly needed in The Gambia. Let us all try to encourage those who are afraid to go to the human rights organisations and at least file a complaint.

Keep the spirit up and thanks to all of you who are trying from various ends to fight this injustice.

Annika (Dumo's wife)

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