Senegalese Journalist Pape Sané Detained on False News Accusations

Sané was arrested by officers with the Colobane research section of the gendarmerie as he left the privately owned Walfadjri press group’s offices in Dakar, Senegal’s capital, according to Moustapha Diop, Walfadjri’s radio and television director. The false news accusation relates to a post on Sané’s Facebook page discussing the replacement of the high commander of the gendarmerie, who was dismissed after March 2021 demonstrations over the arrest of the Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, according to media reports.

If convicted of disseminating false news, Sané could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 1,500,000 West African francs (US$2,450), according to article 255 of the Senegalese penal code.