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Gambians Said to Repose âLittleâ Confidence in Their Judiciary

   Peter Clottey 15 July 2010

   A  prominent  human  rights  attorney  said  Gambians  are shocked and
   disappointed  following a courtâs decision to sentence eight people to
   death  after  finding  them  guilty  for plotting in 2009 to overthrow
   embattled President Yahya Jammeh.

   Assan   Martin   said  defense  lawyers  are  currently  contemplating
   appealing   the   death  penalty  ruling,  adding  that  the  decision
   undermines  the  confidence  Gambians repose in the countryâs judicial
   system.

   Gambia President Yahya Jammeh

   âI can tell you that the reaction today is very somber and it is a big
   sad  day  in  our  legal  history for this courtâs judgment. This is a
   shocking  judgment  (and)  a  sad  judgment  for many Gambians⦠I can
   honestly  tell  you  in  my  own  view that all those evidence and the
   testimonies were very, very weak,â he said.

   Convicted  of  treason, the eight defendants were also found guilty of
   procuring  arms from Guinea and on two other counts of conspiracy with
   the aim of overthrowing President Jammehâs administration.

   The  defendants  were  six army officers and two businessmen. The army
   officers include the former director of Gambiaâs national intelligence
   agency and the former chief of defense staff.

   Attorney  Martin  said  Gambians  are of the opinion that the judicial
   process was not thoroughly followed.

   âI  believe  that  anybody  who  does  anything  should  be dealt with
   according  to  law  but,  there should be enough evidence to warrant a
   conviction.  Today, I can tell you one thing that public confidence in
   our  legal  system  is very lowâ¦we are grappling with the decision of
   the court to be honest,â Martin said.

   He  also  said  defense attorneys have about 30 days to file an appeal
   against the conviction.

   Analysts  say  in  1995  President Jammeh re-introduced the previously
   abolished  death  penalty  after  he  seized power through a bloodless
   military coup dâétat in 1994.

   International  human  right  groups  have  often  questioned what they
   described  as  the  governmentâs  heavy-handedness  in  repressing any
   dissenting views â a charge the government denies.

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