Police in Senegal smashed the windows of an opposition leader’s car and forced Ousmane Sonko out of the vehicle on Thursday after appearing in court.
Social media videos seen by the Associated Press show police physically removing the 46-year-old politician from the back seat of the vehicle. He was subsequently escorted to his residence by the authorities and a government spokesman denied that he had been arrested.
Sonko is being sued for defamation and public insults, charges stemming from allegations he made against Senegal’s tourism minister at a press conference late last year. Thursday’s trial was postponed until next month.
After leaving the courthouse, Sonko waved to his supporters from his car. Police soon began firing tear gas at the gathering.
SENEGAL BUS CRASH CLAIMS 40 LIVES, DOZENS MORE INJURED: REPORTS
Police in Senegal smashed the car of an opposition leader and forcibly removed him from the vehicle. (Fox News)
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“The main opposition leader’s convoy is blocked by combat vehicles,” Sonko’s lawyer Cire Cledor Ly said in a text message to the AP on Thursday afternoon. It is unclear why the car was stopped and the government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sonko rose to prominence during the 2019 presidential election and is considered the favorite to challenge President Macky Sall in next year’s election.
The trial comes as Sonko is battling rape charges, where if convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison and would be barred from running for president. Sonko’s supporters say the government is trying to derail the opposition leader’s political future.
Demonstrations to support Sonko have already turned violent.
Two years ago, at least 13 people were killed as supporters clashed with police after Sonko was arrested for disturbing public order on his way to court for a scheduled hearing on rape charges.
