Senegal court delays Sonko signature case, keeps suspect jailed

The Dakar Criminal Court has postponed its verdict in the signature forgery case involving former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko until July 23, 2026. The trial, originally scheduled for July 9, 2026, was adjourned after Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice, failed to appear in court.

The defendant, Khardiata Tandian, remains in custody after the court denied her request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she meets all criteria for temporary freedom, emphasizing her prolonged detention exceeding a year, her marital status, and her role as a mother to a young child. They also pointed out that time already served could cover potential penalties, warning that further incarceration would severely disrupt her personal and social life.

The prosecution vigorously contested the release, claiming that Khardiata Tandian’s freedom might disrupt public order and that she did not provide adequate assurances of returning for trial. Although her defense countered that no risk of witness tampering existed since she had already testified, the court sided with the prosecution’s arguments. Pending the final verdict, the suspect continues to be held in detention.