In a landmark ruling, a Swiss court has convicted former Gambian government minister Ousman Sonko of crimes against humanity under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The Federal Criminal Court found Sonko guilty of intentional homicide, torture, and false imprisonment, while acquitting him of rape.
This historic verdict marks the first time a high-ranking official has been tried in Europe using universal jurisdiction, allowing for the prosecution of the most serious crimes anywhere. The trial was initiated by Geneva-based campaign group TRIAL International, who supported the plaintiffs in their case against Sonko.
Despite denying the charges and accusing the plaintiffs of lying, Sonko was found guilty of committing these crimes as part of a systematic attack against the civilian population. The judgment can be appealed, but Switzerland’s public prosecutor had sought the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Human rights groups in Gambia have welcomed the verdict, with Demba Ali Jawo, Chairman of the National Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, expressing hope that it would serve as a deterrent to future public officials. He also mentioned the desire for Sonko to be repatriated to Gambia to serve his sentence in the same harsh conditions that his victims endured.
The conviction of Sonko is seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims of Jammeh’s brutal regime, with war crimes prosecutor Reed Brody stating that the long arm of the law is catching up with Jammeh’s accomplices worldwide. The case sheds light on the atrocities committed between 2000-2016 in Gambia and serves as a reminder that justice will eventually be served, no matter how long it takes.