THE GAMBIA: CIVILIAN DEFENDANT IN TREASON TRIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000240 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KMCA KDEM GA SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: CIVILIAN DEFENDANT IN TREASON TRIAL DISAVOWS CONFESSION REF: A. BANJUL 202 ¶B. 06 BANJUL 301 ET AL Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D) DEFENDANT CLAIMS ABUSE, INTIMIDATION -------------- ¶1. (C) Ref a reported the April 19 conviction of ten military personnel for involvement in the abortive coup plot of March ¶2006. The separate trial of four civilian defendants -- among them dual (U.S.-Gambian) citizen Tamsir Jasseh -- continues. At the May 2 trial session, according to media reports, Jasseh in effect disavowed his previous confession of guilt, asserting that he had given it under duress. Jasseh reportedly told the court that, following his arrest, he had initially refused to confess, but had subsequently done so after being beaten and threatened with death. COMMENT -------------- ¶2. (C) Per ref b, Jasseh previously told us privately of beatings he endured after being picked up a few days after the plot had been foiled; we have raised the matter with the GOTG and will continue to do so. Several military defendants also claimed torture, but the presiding judge -- doubtless under pressure from the executive branch -- declined to investigate their claims. It remains to be seen whether the judge handling the civilian trial will show greater autonomy and order an inquiry into Jasseh's claims. END COMMENT STAFFORD