Court Sentences Ex-Gambian Spy Chief to Death

The Gambian High Court has sentenced to death the country’s former intelligence chief Yankuba Badjie and four other security agents for the killing of a political activist in 2016.

Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara pronounced the sentence against the former head of the National Intelligence Agency, after finding him guilty of murdering Ebrima Sandeng, an important figure in the opposition United Democratic Party.

The activist, Ebrima Sandeng a leading figure in the opposition United Democratic Party had been arrested during anti-government protests.

He died in prison two days later, having been beaten and tortured.

His death incited a wave of popular anger that eventually led to the ousting of President Jammeh after 22 years in power.

Mr. Jammeh fled in 2017 to Equatorial Guinea, where he remains in exile.

BBC/CO