afrol News, 17 February - The British missionary David Fulton is back in the dock in The Gambia for alleged forgery and impersonation. Mr Fulton was slapped with a one year jail term for sedition last December by the Gambian court.

Mr Fulton who could face an additional one and half year in prison if convicted is accused of giving a false administration number and for presenting himself as a military officer by wearing a military uniform in 2007 and 2008.

Mr Fulton appeared in court on Monday but did not enter a plea to the new charges, but instead asked the court for adjournment to talk with his lawyer. Judge Lamin George then suspended the case until 3 March.

Mr Fulton and his wife Fiona were arrested in Banjul in late November for allegedly publishing negative articles abroad to excite disaffection against the president and the government of the West African state.

They pleaded guilty to charges of sedition, or inciting resistance to lawful authority, for having criticised the Gambian President and his administration. On 30 December, they were sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour and a fine.

The couple are the first foreigners to be jailed for sedition in the Gambia.

According to their church's website, the Fultons first visited the Gambia as tourists. Then came to stay in the Gambia in 1999 where Mr Fulton became the chaplain for the Gambian army, and his wife was in charge of the chaplaincy at the airport.

The Gambia, one of the smallest African countries is renowned for its bad human rights record.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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