By Fatou Sillah
Lamin Manneh, Deputy Secretary for External Affairs of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has condemned the arrest of party member Borry S. Touray, calling it politically motivated and lacking legal basis. Speaking to Teledal TV, Manneh argued that Touray’s comments did not amount to any offense warranting police action.
“He did not say anything outrageous. He didn’t say anything that required or warranted him being arrested,” Manneh said.
According to him, Touray was receiving medical treatment and preparing for surgery when police summoned him for questioning. Manneh added that officers even visited the hospital to verify Touray’s condition before he eventually complied with the police request. Despite this, Manneh said, Touray was detained upon arrival.
“While he was sick and due for surgery, they detained him. We went there yesterday at 10 o’clock in the morning, and they charged him for incitement of violence,” he said.
Manneh emphasized that Touray exercised his constitutional right by refusing to provide a statement, arguing that this should not have affected his eligibility for bail. “He declined to give a statement because that is his constitutional right, and they said if he declines to give a statement, then they wouldn’t release him on bail, which is wrong; it’s unconstitutional,” he said.
Describing the accusations as baseless, Manneh said the party is prepared to contest the charges in court. “This is a frivolous charge; we will fight it in court,” he added.