The Gambia
Gambian Amnesty leader released

afrol News, 28 October - Amnesty International has welcomed the release of Mohamed Lamin Sillah, Secretary General of its Gambian section. Although he has not been charged, he has been released on bail and has to report back to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on Monday. 

According to a statement by Amnesty, Mr. Lamin Sillah was not ill-treated but detention conditions in the NIA are poor. While the organization welcomes the release of Mr Lamin Sillah, it "remains concerned by his arrest and incommunicado detention that can only be seen as an attack on freedom of expression and human rights defenders in Gambia."

At least 10 members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) were detained on 15 October following fighting between UDP supporters and supporters of President Jammeh. At least 13 oppposition supporters have been detained since the election results were announced; the reasons for these latest arrests are unclear. Some of these people are detained incommunicado in the NIA.

The human rights group says it "remains concerned for their well-being." Amnesty International continues to ask the Gambian government to promptly release or charge those people still detained, to ensure they are protected from ill-treatment and allowed access to their lawyers and other visits.

Sources: Amnesty International and afrol archives

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