Ousman Sonko, a former Gambian minister, has appeared in a Swiss court to appeal his conviction for crimes against humanity committed under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh’s regime.
Sonko was convicted in May 2024 for homicide, torture, and false imprisonment, making him the highest-ranking former official to be tried in Europe using universal jurisdiction.
The prosecution is seeking a life sentence and inclusion of sexual violence charges, while Sonko’s lawyer argues that many alleged acts occurred before relevant Swiss legislation took effect in 2011. The case could aid efforts to prosecute Jammeh-era crimes in Gambia.
