DAKAR (Reuters) -Nine people were killed in Senegal on Thursday in clashes between riot police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko after a court sentenced him to two years in jail, casting serious doubt on his chances of running for president next year. | 09:05pm
Senegal Clashes: Sonko, the opposition leader was accused of raping a woman who worked in a massage parlour in 2021, when she was 20, and making death threats against her. He denies wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated.
A Senegal court sentenced opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in jail in a sexual assault case on Wednesday. This triggered heavy protests, leading to death of nine people.
Widespread protests, riots, burning of vehicles and stoning of government properties have been reported in many regions of Senegal including the capital,