In a recent development in Switzerland, the case of Binta Jamba, who accused Ousman Sonko of multiple charges of rape, took a surprising turn. The Swiss federal Criminal Court discontinued the proceedings against Sonko, much to the dismay of Jamba’s lawyer, Ms. Annina Mullis.
Mullis vehemently argued that the discontinuation of the case does not exonerate Sonko of the crimes he was accused of. She emphasized that the court’s decision does not negate the fact that the rape allegations were recognized, despite not being classified as crimes against humanity.
The lawyer expressed her disappointment with the Swiss justice system, stating that the court’s decision reflects a pattern of disregarding sexual and gender-based violence as a systematic form of oppression against women. She highlighted the court’s failure to acknowledge SGBV as a tool used in oppressive systems, particularly during the Jammeh regime in The Gambia.
Mullis further criticized the court for rejecting witnesses who could testify to the systematic nature of SGBV during the Jammeh regime, which she believed was crucial in proving the case against Sonko. The Federal Prosecutor supported Jamba’s claims, citing the detailed and consistent nature of her statements regarding the alleged rapes.
Despite the court’s decision, Mullis sees the verdict as a success and plans to appeal against the discontinuation of the case. She noted that under Swiss law, the maximum penalty for Sonko would be 20 years, as the court did not apply the ‘crimes against humanity’ article in the Swiss Criminal Code.
The case has sparked debate about the handling of sexual violence cases and the importance of recognizing SGBV as a systematic issue. As the legal battle continues, Binta Jamba and her lawyer remain determined to seek justice for the alleged crimes committed against her.