Explore...
Explore TRIAL International’s news (cases updates, news releases, job offers, campaigns, newsletters). You can refine your search using our filtering system.
Refine Your Search
Q&A Ousman Sonko appeal trial
27.03.2026 - (Last modified: 01.04.2026)
Who is Ousman Sonko and what is he accused of?
Ousman Sonko is a former Gambian government official who served under the regime of President Yahya Jammeh. Over the course of his career, Mr. Sonko held several senior positions: commander of the State Guard, Inspector General of Police, and, from 2006 to 2016, Minister of the Interior.
He stands accused, an...
Day 5 Sonko trial: Continuation of the examination of the March 2006 charges
12.01.2024 - (Last modified: 22.12.2025)
(acts of torture, false imprisonment and sexual violence committed as crimes against humanity)
As part of an attempted coup d'état in March 2006, Ousman Sonko is being accused, as an accomplice of a group of perpetrators, of having tortured various people, including members of the army, politicians and journalists, of having illegally deprived them of their free...
Day 4 Sonko trial: Examination of the March 2006 charges
11.01.2024 - (Last modified: 22.12.2025)
(acts of torture, false imprisonment and sexual violence committed as crimes against humanity)
As part of an attempted coup d'état in March 2006, Ousman Sonko is being accused, as an accomplice of a group of perpetrators, of having tortured various people, including members of the army, politicians and journalists, of having illegally deprived them of their f...
Day 2 Sonko Trial: All rise!
09.01.2024 - (Last modified: 22.12.2025)
©TRIAL International / Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona.
The proceedings resumed at 1 PM sharp with the Court’s reading of its decision on the preliminary questions discussed during the first day. Read our recap for day two.
The Court announced that the ruling will not be translated into English.
On the arguments made by t...
Day 1 Sonko Trial: The trial begins
08.01.2024 - (Last modified: 22.12.2025)
©TRIAL International / The Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona
The trial of Ousman Sonko opened today, 8 January 2024, at 9:00 AM before the Swiss Federal Criminal Court, where three judges will be examining the former Gambian Minister of Interior’s responsibility over the numerous crimes against humanity that he is accused of having committed betw...






