Gambian Ex-Minister Sonko in Court for Crimes Against Humanity

Ousman Sonko, the 54-year-old former interior minister of the Gambia, is on trial in the Swiss Federal Criminal Court for his alleged role in a series of crimes perpetrated against Gambians under the 22-year rule of former dictator Yahya Jammeh. This case is one of several cases where individuals accused of crimes against humanity committed under Jameh's leadership will be prosecuted.

A Gambian survivor of multiple rapes is among three witnesses who will this week take the stand against Sonko in Switzerland. She is the widow of a former State Guard under Jammeh who was killed after being accused of plotting a coup against the leader.

Jammeh is accused of numerous human rights violations including murder and severe torture by the country's Truth, Reconciliation and Reconciliation Commission.

This article originally appeared on AllAfrica

Image by Rick Bajornas/UN Photo