At least fifty-three Guineans who were involved in the October 19 Brikama riot were each sentenced to three months mandatory jail terms by Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Brikama Magistrates court. Magistrate Jammeh handed down his ruling last Friday.

The convicts were convicted on six counts including idling and engaging in public disorder, contrary to Section 166 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Two women, who were said to have been involved in the riot, were set free by the court. Magistrate Jammeh however warned them to maintain the peace.

The convicts had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. They claimed that the police had arrested them randomly and that they were not involved in the incident. The police prosecutor, Inspector Samateh, refuted their assertions. According to him, some were arrested within the vicinity of the police station while others were identified by their fellow convicts.

Handing down his judgement, Magistrate Jammeh told the convicts that the actions of the police in reacting to their attack on the police station was legitimate. “I am going to set an example,” he added.  

He then sentenced them to three months of mandatory jail terms each and gave orders for their deportation after serving their sentences.