Seven Soldiers Sentenced to 9 Years for Treason and Other Charges

Seven soldiers were sentenced to nine years in jail by a Court Martial at Yundum Barracks for various crimes ranging from treason to mutiny on Monday.

On Friday, the court found them, plus one other solider guilty of plotting to overthrow the government of President Adama Barrow. They are Cpt. Yahya Jammeh, Lt. Abdoulie Jarju, Lt. Yahya Jammeh, Sgt. Babucarr Sanneh, Sgt. Malick Bojang, Lance Corporal Abba Badjie, Private Mbemba Camara and Private Alieu Sanneh. They were initially arrested with four other soldiers in 2017 for alleged Whatsapp-recorded meetings about overthrowing the government. They were charged with nine offences including treason and mutiny.

Private Sanneh has been sentenced to three years.

According to their initial particulars of offence, the officers have conspired to unlawfully overthrow the government of The Gambia by arresting all ministers, battalion commanders and senior members of The Gambia Armed Forces, as well as forcefully take armoury from guards.

The other four officers were found not guilty.

The families of the convicted soldiers broke down in tears, screaming as Salifu Bojang, the President of the Court Martial read the verdicts.