British envoy to Gambia condemns opposition members’ imprisonment

Gambia: The British envoy to the Gambia on Tuesday has criticized the “severe sentences” meted out  to members of main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).

UDP Opposition Leader Ousainou Darboe and 18 of his supporters were on Wednesday last week sentenced to 3 years in prison by a high court judge in Banjul for their part in a street protest in April to demand answers over the death of the party’s organizing secretary, Solo Sandeng in custody.

Mr Sandeng who led a protest in April was arrested and beaten by the Gambian security forces including dozens of supporters for making a public call for electoral reforms and the resignation of President Yahya Jammeh.

Reacting to the verdict, British High Commissioner to Gambia, Colin Crorkin, said his government is worried by the magnitude of the sentences.Colin Crorkin wrote on the embassy's official website;

“These sentences are disproportionate and not in line with internationally acceptable human rights standards.”

Bloodless coup in 1994 and has made headlines for eccentric proclamations, including a claim to have invented a cure for HIV/AIDS.

The former military man, who once told a reporter he could lead The Gambia for “a billion years,” is expected to extend his rule in elections in December.