French-Spanish lawyer Juan Branco, imprisoned in Dakar on Sunday in connection with recent unrest in Senegal, was released on Monday under judicial supervision before being expelled, authorities and his lawyers said.
Mr. Branco, who entered Senegal irregularly several days ago to participate in the defense of opponent Ousmane Sonko despite an arrest warrant against him, was arrested Friday evening in Mauritania after several days of research. He had been handed over to the Senegalese authorities and detained on Sunday on various charges.
“He was taken out of prison this morning (Monday) and presented to the judge who notified him of his placement under judicial supervision,” one of his lawyers, Robin Binsard, told AFP. He was then handed over to the police for deportation, he said.
“The Minister of the Interior has issued an order to expel him (…) In the next few hours, he should leave Senegalese territory,” Senegalese Minister of Justice Ismaïla Madior Fall told the press.
“He is exhausted but relieved,” added Binsard. The Minister indicated that Mr. Branco had refused to eat and drink while in detention.
Mr. Branco was charged on Sunday with attack, conspiracy, dissemination of false news, acts and maneuvers likely to compromise public security or cause serious political unrest, illegal stay and contempt of court, according to his lawyers.
The authorities took very seriously the actions of the Franco-Spanish, who made a name for himself in the country by taking part in the defense of Ousmane Sonko, an opponent engaged since 2021 in a showdown with power and justice . The confrontation between Mr. Sonko, presidential candidate of 2024, and the government has given rise to several episodes of deadly violence.
Mr Branco particularly drew attention when he announced a complaint in France in June against Senegalese President Macky Sall for “crimes against humanity”, as the country had just experienced its worst turmoil in years. He also asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to investigate Mr. Sall.
He stood out for his very strong attacks against the Senegalese authorities.
Mr. Branco had been targeted since mid-July by a Senegalese judicial investigation and an international arrest warrant.
The government has described him as a publicity-hungry lawyer contributing to tensions in the country in recent months. He “tried to experiment with his theory of revolution and insurrection in Senegal”, the justice minister said.
The authorities took it badly that the lawyer disregarded the warrant for his arrest and arrived unexpectedly at a press conference of Mr. Sonko’s lawyers on July 30, two days after the latter’s arrest. was to lead to his detention on various charges, including calling for insurrection.
Mr. Branco then disappeared before being arrested on Sunday in Mauritania in circumstances that are still unclear, aboard a canoe and dressed as a fisherman according to the Senegalese media.
The Minister affirmed that certain facts alleged against Mr. Branco were of a criminal nature. “We could have put him under a warrant of committal for years,” he said.
He assured that, despite the release, the procedure would follow its course. “All the investigative acts are going to be taken; secondly, it is possible that his judicial review will be revoked; and thirdly, he can be tried (…) He could be convicted (…) We have a cooperative relationship judicial (with) France, (which) means that he can serve his sentence in France”, according to the minister.
“But what was important in this case was that Senegal mark its sovereignty, it was that Senegal sets an example,” he added.
Mr. Branco was entitled to French and Spanish consular assistance.
In France, Juan Branco had a bookstore success with a pamphlet hostile to President Emmanuel Macron, “Crépuscule”.
08/07/2023 22:22:16 – Dakar (AFP) – © 2023 AFP