• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Legal
  • Technology and Science
  • Opinion
  • Columns
  • Exposé
  • World
  • Lifestyle
Swiss

Swiss Court Finds Fmr Gambian Minister Guilty Of Crimes Against Humanity

1 year ago
JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

15 minutes ago
Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

18 minutes ago
Sierra Leone Suffers Power Cut As Turkish Power Supplier Shutdown Amid $40 Million Debt

Benin, Togo Owe Nigeria Over $11m In Unpaid Electricity Bills – NERC

28 minutes ago
Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

1 hour ago
Ukrainian Forces Capture Nigerian Fighting For Russia

Ukrainian Forces Capture Nigerian Fighting For Russia

8 hours ago
Saturday, July 5, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
Heritage Times
No Result
View All Result
Translate |
  • Login
  • Politics
    Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

    Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

    Mali: Parliament Grants Coup Leader 5-Year Renewable Presidential Term Without Election

    Mali: Parliament Grants Coup Leader 5-Year Renewable Presidential Term Without Election

    Russia Becomes First To Recognise Taliban Government Of Afghanistan

    Russia Becomes First To Recognise Taliban Government Of Afghanistan

    Nigeria Misses Out, As Trump Hosts Economy, Security Meeting With 5 African Presidents

    Nigeria Misses Out, As Trump Hosts Economy, Security Meeting With 5 African Presidents

    ADC: Major Shake-Up In Nigerian Politics As Top Figures Unite

    ADC: Major Shake-Up In Nigerian Politics As Top Figures Unite

    Tanzania: Prime Minister Majaliwa To Step Down

    Tanzania: Prime Minister Majaliwa To Step Down

    Ivory Coast: AU Court Rejects Gbagbo’s Bid To Seek Re-Election

    Ivory Coast: AU Court Rejects Gbagbo’s Bid To Seek Re-Election

    SA: Crack Widens In Unity Govt As DA Withdraws From National Dialogue

    SA: Crack Widens In Unity Govt As DA Withdraws From National Dialogue

    Cameroon: Influential Minister Resigns, To Challenge President Biya At Polls

    Cameroon: Influential Minister Resigns, To Challenge President Biya At Polls

  • Economy
    Namibia Suspends State Funerals Following Criticism Over High Costs

    Namibia Suspends State Funerals Following Criticism Over High Costs

    SA: Mineral Council Says Proposed Tax On Chrome Export Threatens Jobs

    SA: Mineral Council Says Proposed Tax On Chrome Export Threatens Jobs

    Senegal Moves To Reduce Reliance On Foreign Lenders, Targets Improved IGR

    Senegal Promises To Clear Undeclared Debt Incurred By Past Administration

    Nigerian Govt Set To Launch ‘Africans For Africa’ Mining Sector Fund

    Nigerian Govt Set To Launch ‘Africans For Africa’ Mining Sector Fund

    Kenya Mulls Privatisation Of Key Government Assets To Attract Investment

    Kenya Mulls Privatisation Of Key Government Assets To Attract Investment

    Nigeria: Govt Says Deliberate Policies Boosting Investors’ Confidence In Oil & Gas Sector

    Nigeria: Govt Says Deliberate Policies Boosting Investors’ Confidence In Oil & Gas Sector

    US-Africa Summit Wraps Up with Trade and Investment Deals Worth Over $2.5 Billion

    US-Africa Summit Wraps Up With Trade And Investment Deals Worth Over $2.5 Billion

    S/Africa Introduces $54 Million Incentive To Boost Local Manufacturing Of EVs

    South Africa Secures $474.6 Million Loan From AfDB To Boost Energy Transition

    Celebration Of Excellence: Nigerian Govt Rewards Outstanding Civil Servants With Brand New Cars, House

    Celebration Of Excellence: Nigerian Govt Rewards Outstanding Civil Servants With Brand New Cars, House

  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Legal
  • Tech & Science
  • Opinion
  • Exposé
  • Exclusive Videos
  • Niger Delta
  • World
  • Politics
    Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

    Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

    Mali: Parliament Grants Coup Leader 5-Year Renewable Presidential Term Without Election

    Mali: Parliament Grants Coup Leader 5-Year Renewable Presidential Term Without Election

    Russia Becomes First To Recognise Taliban Government Of Afghanistan

    Russia Becomes First To Recognise Taliban Government Of Afghanistan

    Nigeria Misses Out, As Trump Hosts Economy, Security Meeting With 5 African Presidents

    Nigeria Misses Out, As Trump Hosts Economy, Security Meeting With 5 African Presidents

    ADC: Major Shake-Up In Nigerian Politics As Top Figures Unite

    ADC: Major Shake-Up In Nigerian Politics As Top Figures Unite

    Tanzania: Prime Minister Majaliwa To Step Down

    Tanzania: Prime Minister Majaliwa To Step Down

    Ivory Coast: AU Court Rejects Gbagbo’s Bid To Seek Re-Election

    Ivory Coast: AU Court Rejects Gbagbo’s Bid To Seek Re-Election

    SA: Crack Widens In Unity Govt As DA Withdraws From National Dialogue

    SA: Crack Widens In Unity Govt As DA Withdraws From National Dialogue

    Cameroon: Influential Minister Resigns, To Challenge President Biya At Polls

    Cameroon: Influential Minister Resigns, To Challenge President Biya At Polls

  • Economy
    Namibia Suspends State Funerals Following Criticism Over High Costs

    Namibia Suspends State Funerals Following Criticism Over High Costs

    SA: Mineral Council Says Proposed Tax On Chrome Export Threatens Jobs

    SA: Mineral Council Says Proposed Tax On Chrome Export Threatens Jobs

    Senegal Moves To Reduce Reliance On Foreign Lenders, Targets Improved IGR

    Senegal Promises To Clear Undeclared Debt Incurred By Past Administration

    Nigerian Govt Set To Launch ‘Africans For Africa’ Mining Sector Fund

    Nigerian Govt Set To Launch ‘Africans For Africa’ Mining Sector Fund

    Kenya Mulls Privatisation Of Key Government Assets To Attract Investment

    Kenya Mulls Privatisation Of Key Government Assets To Attract Investment

    Nigeria: Govt Says Deliberate Policies Boosting Investors’ Confidence In Oil & Gas Sector

    Nigeria: Govt Says Deliberate Policies Boosting Investors’ Confidence In Oil & Gas Sector

    US-Africa Summit Wraps Up with Trade and Investment Deals Worth Over $2.5 Billion

    US-Africa Summit Wraps Up With Trade And Investment Deals Worth Over $2.5 Billion

    S/Africa Introduces $54 Million Incentive To Boost Local Manufacturing Of EVs

    South Africa Secures $474.6 Million Loan From AfDB To Boost Energy Transition

    Celebration Of Excellence: Nigerian Govt Rewards Outstanding Civil Servants With Brand New Cars, House

    Celebration Of Excellence: Nigerian Govt Rewards Outstanding Civil Servants With Brand New Cars, House

  • Security
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Metro
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Legal
  • Tech & Science
  • Opinion
  • Exposé
  • Exclusive Videos
  • Niger Delta
  • World
No Result
View All Result
First with the News

Swiss Court Finds Fmr Gambian Minister Guilty Of Crimes Against Humanity

May 15, 2024
in Legal, Top Stories
0
Swiss

Swiss

0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

By Ebi Kesiena

A Swiss federal court rendered a landmark verdict on Wednesday, convicting a former Gambian government minister of crimes against humanity committed during the regime of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, as reported by a Geneva-based non-governmental organization supporting the plaintiffs.

Relatedreading

JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

According to Reed Brody, a war crime prosecutor present at the trial, Ousman Sonko was found guilty of intentional homicide, torture, and false imprisonment, while being acquitted of rape charges.

The ruling, issued by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, is subject to appeal.

Sonko, who previously served as Gambia’s interior minister, stands as the highest-ranking official to be prosecuted in Europe under universal jurisdiction, which enables the prosecution of the gravest crimes regardless of their location.

Since his arrest in January 2017 and subsequent application for asylum following his dismissal from the Gambian government, Sonko has remained in Swiss custody.

READ ALSO: FIFA Announces Plans For Inaugural Women’s Club World Cup, Appoints Secretary-General 

During the trial in Bellinzona, Sonko’s legal team advocated for his acquittal and sought financial compensation for his years of detention.

The complaint leading to Sonko’s arrest was filed by Trial International, a non-governmental organization dedicated to combatting impunity for international crimes.

Taking to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the NGO announced Sonko’s sentencing to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court.

Benoit Meystre, Trial’s legal advisor, spoke to the French media outlet Agence France-Presse (AFP) prior to Sonko’s verdict, expressing relief on behalf of the plaintiffs at being able to confront Sonko during the trial.

Jammeh, Gambia’s former dictator, wielded authoritarian rule over the West African nation from 1994 to 2016.

Sonko was accused by Swiss prosecutors of involvement in systematic attacks perpetrated by Gambian security forces against regime opponents.

Sonko’s defense contended that he should not stand trial for crimes against humanity, arguing that the alleged offenses were isolated acts and not under his authority or control.

Sonko’s trial, conducted under the principle of universal jurisdiction, prompted his legal team to assert that charges predating 2011 should be excluded, when Switzerland implemented universal jurisdiction laws.

Reed Brody, a member of the International Commission of Jurists, noted the trial’s significance in bolstering domestic efforts in The Gambia to prosecute crimes of the Jammeh regime.

In 2022, Gambian authorities endorsed the findings of a commission investigating Jammeh-era atrocities, with plans to prosecute 70 individuals, including Jammeh himself, who has been in exile since 2017.

Tags: Swiss
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Nigeria: Faulty Presidential Jet Worries Parliament After Tinubu Flied Private Plane

Next Post

Ghana’s Economy Is Experiencing Massive Recovery – Finance Minister

Related Posts

JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

July 5, 2025
Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

July 5, 2025

Benin, Togo Owe Nigeria Over $11m In Unpaid Electricity Bills – NERC

Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

Ukrainian Forces Capture Nigerian Fighting For Russia

Club World Cup: Chelsea, Fluminense Battle For Final Ticket

Next Post
Finance

Ghana’s Economy Is Experiencing Massive Recovery – Finance Minister

Please login to join discussion
AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2 AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2 AfriHeritage Magazine Issue 2

Updates

Plugin Install : Widget Tab Post needs JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

July 5, 2025
Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

July 5, 2025
Sierra Leone Suffers Power Cut As Turkish Power Supplier Shutdown Amid $40 Million Debt

Benin, Togo Owe Nigeria Over $11m In Unpaid Electricity Bills – NERC

July 5, 2025
Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

July 5, 2025
JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia JESIN GAMES - AfriTrivia
ADVERTISEMENT

Most Recent

JUST IN: African Champion Kolawole Crushes American, Others To Win Spanish Grand Prix Gold

July 5, 2025

Ronaldo Absent As Family, Football Stars Bury Jota, Liverpool To Retain Player’s Contract

July 5, 2025

Benin, Togo Owe Nigeria Over $11m In Unpaid Electricity Bills – NERC

July 5, 2025

Russia, China’s Presidents Absent As BRICS Summit Starts In Brazil

July 5, 2025

Ukrainian Forces Capture Nigerian Fighting For Russia

July 5, 2025

Club World Cup: Chelsea, Fluminense Battle For Final Ticket

July 5, 2025

Even If Devil Is Angry, I’ll Construct Huge Church At Presidential Palace — Ruto

July 4, 2025

Partey: Ex-Arsenal Star Charged With ‘Rape’

July 4, 2025

About

Heritage Times HT stands as a beacon of pan-African journalism, dedicated to amplyfing the rich tapestry of voices and narratives across the continent. With unwavering commitment, we illuminate the evocative essence of Africa, offering a fresh perspective that captivates our global audience.

Featured

From Hope To Fear: Kenya Joins East Africa’s Crackdown On Free Expression

AfDB Set For A New President, As Ould Tah Gains Continental Endorsement

How Dangote Is Turning Trump’s Trade War Into Africa’s Opportunity

Connect

Connect with us on social media and receive timely updates on the go.

Get Updates

  • About
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Heritage Times (HT) Media.

No Result
View All Result
  • Welcome
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Security
  • Exposé
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Legal
  • Technology and Science
  • Columns
    • Opinion
  • World
  • __________________
  • Make a Donation
  • Photo Speaks
  • Videos
  • You-Report
  • Whistleblower
  • Advertise
  • HT Events
  • About HT
  • Contact us

© 2024 Heritage Times (HT) Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In