Annika,
Thank you for your dedication. I must say that many of share your pain and
frustration. I pray that Jammeh will come to his senses and let these
innocent people go on with their lives.
Malanding
----- Original Message -----
From: "Annika Renberg" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 6:25 PM
Subject: Dumo Sarho - 10 months of detention
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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