afrol News, 19 March - The Gambian court has freed opposition leader Halifa Sallah from jail with all the charges against him dropped. Mr Sallah who was arrested earlier this month, was charged with spying, sedition and holding illegal meetings.

His release comes just a day after human rights organisation Amnesty International appealed for his release saying he was at risk of being tortured in jail also saying the country will not hold a fair trial for the man.

Mr Sallah an open critique of President Yahya Jammeh, who also stood against him during the 2006 presidential elections, was arrested 11 days ago following his visit in the remote villages to see victims of torture allegedly perpetrated by the government agents.

Mr Sallah was granted bail last week, but was unable to meet the bail terms and had been held at the country's main jail.

On Wednesday, Amnesty International said in a report that witch doctors and security forces in Gambia had detained up to 1,000 people on suspicion of being witches.

According to the organisation victims have been held in secret detention camps for up to five days and forced to drink hallucinogenic substances which have killed at least two people through kidney failure, while others had been beaten almost to death.

In November last year, Amnesty International published a report saying President Jammeh's opponents are subjected to daily rights violations including torture and unlawful arrests. It also detailed a crackdown by authorities on the media.

The Gambia has been ruled by President Jammeh since he grabbed power in a bloodless coup in 1994.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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