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Gambia: Mass Arrest At Brikama on Bob Marley Day

On Friday evening, 11th May, 2007, pandemonium ensued at the Brikama Police Station, as several youths were arrested and brought to the said station by patrolling officers. The youths were arrested from different wards within Brikama. The arrest of these youths happened when most of them were celebrating BOB MARLEY DAY. They were suspected of being in possession of cannabis sativa (marijuana) or committing unlawful activities within Brikama.

An emergency check point was mounted, in front of the said station, by Police officers. Several youths who were on their way to a fund raising programme for the under 20 national team at the Brikama Mini-Stadium were intercepted, searched and forcibly dragged into the station and some were put in cells. Those who resisted being searched were badly beaten and arrested, while others were set free. Some of the young people were released in the night while the others were detained overnight and released the following day through the intervention of their relatives and loved ones. A suspect was badly beaten by Police officers after the latter resisted arrest. A suspect who was engaged in fighting with a police officer was subsequently overpowered with the aid of other officers. He was later put in a cell. Detention facilities in the said station were overcrowded.

One could see the police bringing a youth almost every five minutes.

At around 1pm, the following day, Saturday, 12 May, all the remaining detainees were released unconditionally.

When contacted, the Deputy Station Officer at Brikama Police Station said he is unaware of the mass arrest of youths on the said date.

On his part, the Police PRO, ASP Jobarteh, noted that he is also unaware of the mass arrests in Brikama.