Facts
The case concerns the former Minister of the Interior of Gambia, who is accused of committing crimes against humanity. The lower court confirmed the urgent suspicion of crimes against humanity, based on reports from the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and extrajudicial executions, witness testimonies, and ongoing investigations by the Federal Prosecutor's Office. The complainant, who held various high-ranking positions in Gambia from 2003 to 2016, denies the allegations and particularly criticizes that no specific actions are being charged against him and that he did not have effective control over the events. The Federal Prosecutor's Office has initiated extensive investigations, including witness interviews and mutual legal assistance requests to Gambian and international authorities.
Considerations
The Federal Prosecutor's Office has initiated extensive investigations that indicate a systematic approach against the civilian population, particularly against political opponents and critics of the regime of Yahya Jammeh. The witness testimonies and reports suggest that acts of torture were not isolated but were used in a planned and systematic manner. The complainant, as Minister of the Interior, had the general responsibility over the prisons and the penal system in Gambia. It cannot be ruled out that he could have influenced the actions of the National Intelligence Agency and the "Junglers". The…