GALA Members Charged After Rejecting Bail Conditions

Published by: The Fatu Network

The Gambia Police Force says 14 members of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) arrested on Friday at the Youth Monument in Westfield have now been formally charged with unlawful assembly and common nuisance after allegedly failing to obtain a police permit for the gathering.

Police said the detainees were offered bail conditions requiring one Gambian surety and a D50,000 bail bond, but declined and instead “requested unconditional self-bail” while indicating “their preference for the matter to proceed before the court.”

The arrests have sparked criticism from activists and supporters, who argue the gathering was a peaceful anniversary event and not an unlawful protest.