Businessman Rene Alleges Illegal Detention, Home Raids and Deportation Attempt

By: Dawda Baldeh

Businessman Muhammed Rene Schwarze has publicly alleged that he was subjected to a series of unlawful actions by officers of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and the Gambia Immigration Department after he was arrested several weeks ago and later deported to Germany.

The businessman alleges he was detained without charge, denied access to legal counsel and later faced an attempted deportation without ever being personally served with official documents.

In a six-page statement obtained by The Fatu Network, Schwarze said the ordeal began on June 25, 2026, while he was hosting foreign investors at Coco Ocean Resort.

“My wife called and said officers were at our house looking for me. She told me they were from the SIU. I immediately left to meet them.”

According to Schwarze, officers told him they were investigating allegations that he was storing large amounts of foreign currency and illegally printing money.

“They could not show me a single document authorising the search. I cooperated because I had nothing to hide,” he said.

He said officers searched his residence, safes and business premises, including printing equipment used to produce T-shirts, but found nothing incriminating.

“I told them, ‘How can I print money in my house? Am I the Central Bank?’ The machines are for printing T-shirts, not currency.”

“We Are Going Together Now”

Schwarze said officers initially told him they were taking him to the former Union Station to complete a routine report before allowing him to return home.

Instead, he alleges he was taken to the Anti-Crime Unit, where he underwent hours of questioning.

“The questioning lasted from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. They repeatedly told my wife and me that once they finished asking questions, we would be free to go because they had found no crime.”

However, after signing his statement, Schwarze said an officer informed him he was being detained.

“I asked, ‘Detained for what?’ They had just told me I was free to go home.”

He further alleges that when he attempted to speak with senior officer Pa Alieu, another officer threatened him.

“He told me, ‘Don’t step toward your car or there will be an accident,’ while holding a weapon.”

According to Schwarze, Pa Alieu acknowledged there was no evidence of wrongdoing but said the decision had been made elsewhere.

“We know you didn’t commit a crime, but the order is coming from on top. You’re detained. I can’t do anything about it,” Schwarze alleges the officer told him.

Schwarze said he remained in detention for two to three days without being allowed to speak to his lawyers.

“They detained me for two to three days without allowing me to speak to any of my lawyers.”

He said he was eventually granted bail despite never being informed of any criminal offence.

“I asked, ‘Why bail when I haven’t committed any crime?’ They simply said investigations were ongoing.”

Second Operation by Immigration

Schwarze alleges that on June 30, 2026, officers from the Gambia Immigration Department returned to his residence while he was attending a meeting.

He claims officers entered the property without presenting any legal documents.

“They forced their way into our compound. My wife tried to stop them and was pushed to the ground. She injured her arm.”

According to Schwarze, officers informed him he was being detained over his immigration status.

“I asked to see the documents authorising my detention. They refused.”

He said officers told him he would simply be taken to verify his documents before returning home.

Instead, Schwarze alleges he was driven to several locations before arriving at Immigration offices in Tanji.

“You Have No Rights Right Now”

Schwarze said officers instructed him to switch off his phone and stop asking questions.

“You have no rights right now,” he alleges they told him.

Although officers allegedly confirmed that all of his immigration documents were valid, Schwarze said he was nevertheless informed that his status had been revoked.

“They told me everything was valid but that from that moment it had all been revoked.”

He further alleges he was given an ultimatum.

“Book a ticket tonight and leave the country, or tomorrow morning we will remove you by force.”

Schwarze said he repeatedly asked what offence he had committed but received no explanation.

“They simply kept saying the order had come ‘from on top.'”

According to Schwarze, his lawyer later located him at the airport and challenged the legality of the process.

He said immigration officials subsequently reversed their position.

“They suddenly changed their decision and told me I now had 72 hours. Later that evening they took me back home.”

“I Have Never Been Served Any Document”

Schwarze maintains that throughout both incidents he was never personally served with any warrant, charge sheet or deportation order.

“To this day, I have never been served with a single document, not during the first incident and not during the second.

“The only deportation notice was later sent to my lawyer. I was never personally served.”

Authorities Yet to Respond

At the time of publication, the Gambia Police Force, the Special Investigation Unit and the Gambia Immigration Department had not publicly responded to Schwarze’s allegations.

Their response will be published when received.

This article is based on allegations made by Muhammed Rene Schwarze in a statement obtained by The Fatu Network.