The Senegalese prosecution accused opposition leader Ousmane Sonko of several charges, including planning a rebellion and criminal conspiracy, following a trial two months ago in a separate case of rape that sparked riots across the country, resulting in fatalities.
Authorities arrested Sonko on Friday after a confrontation with security forces stationed outside his home. Prosecutors stated on Saturday that he remains in custody.
The country's prosecutor, Abdou Karim Diop, announced that Sonko would face new charges, including incitement to rebellion, conspiracy against the state, and criminal complicity, presenting video footage from a laptop belonging to Sonko, which allegedly shows him giving inflammatory speeches.
Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on June 1 for immoral conduct towards individuals under the age of 21, which led to protests that resulted in at least 16 deaths. His supporters are outraged by the possibility that his conviction might prevent him from participating in next year's presidential elections, though lawyers claim the case is ambiguous.
Sonko's arrest yesterday and the new charges are not related to his June conviction, and he has not been asked to provide statements regarding the new case.
