Banjul, Gambia – The Gambia Police Force arrested prominent human rights defender Madi Jobarteh on October 9, 2023, placing him in judicial custody at the Jabang anti-crime facility. Jobarteh, who serves as the country representative for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, was detained under concerning circumstances that have raised alarms about press freedom and civil liberties in The Gambia.
During the arrest, police officers seized both Jobarteh’s phone and his daughter’s phone without presenting a warrant. Authorities also demanded that Jobarteh unlock his phone, a request he refused.
The arrest follows days of surveillance and intimidation by security forces. On October 6, four agents from the State Intelligence Unit (SIU) and the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) arrived at Jobarteh’s residence, questioning him over alleged Facebook posts related to democracy and governance. When he declined to accompany them to the police station, authorities reportedly continued to monitor his movements.
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