Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANJUL240
2007-05-07 13:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:
THE GAMBIA: CIVILIAN DEFENDANT IN TREASON TRIAL
how-toVZCZCXRO7582 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHJL #0240 1271355 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 071355Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7506 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
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
-------------------------------------
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
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