Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s opposition leader, has been charged with planning an insurgency, criminal conspiracy, and others.
This is coming barely two months after his trial for a separate rape case triggered bloody rioting across the country.
Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on June 1 for corrupting youth sparking protests in which at least 16 people were killed.
His supporters are outraged that his conviction could prevent him from running in next year’s presidential election.
Earlier on Friday, Mr. Sonko was arrested after a face-off with security forces stationed outside his home, whom he said were recording him without his consent. He’s still in the custody of the Senegalese Police, according to state prosecutors.
Senegal’s state prosecutor, Abdou Karim Diop, told a crowded press conference that Sonko would be officially charged with incitement, conspiring against the state, and criminal conspiracy, among other counts, while playing video tapes from a laptop of Sonko making allegedly inciteful comments.
According to the Associated Press, It is unclear what led to the latest charges.
Sonko finished third in Senegal’s presidential election in 2019 and is popular among the country’s youth. His supporters believe the charges against him are part of a government effort to undermine his presidential ambition in 2024.