Senegal has indicted four people this week, the first to face charges related to deadly political unrest between 2021 and 2024, lawyers told AFP on Thursday.
The charges are in response to the violent demonstrations under former president Macky Sall, which were harshly repressed and left dozens dead and injured, as he faced off with his then-opponent Ousmane Sonko.
The west African nation's current government has long pledged to deliver justice to the victims, despite an amnesty law that was passed in the final weeks of Sall's presidency to ease political tensions.
The four people charged are accused by alleged victim Pape Abdoulaye Toure of acts of unlawful confinement, illegal abduction, torture and violence that he said he suffered in June 2023.
The specific charges of "crimes against humanity" or "complicity" in these acts make it possible to circumvent the amnesty law that covers political violence during that period.
Head of security Ameth Tidiane Cisse and a security officer Djibril Gaye at the Dakar University Works Center "are being prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, crimes against humanity and torture", their lawyer Taha Cisse told AFP.
Gaye has been remanded in custody and Cisse has been placed under judicial supervision, the lawyer added.
Another two people -- Amadou Guindo Traore and Djibril Diaw -- have been charged with "complicity in crimes against humanity committed against Pape Abdoulaye Toure", their lawyer Yaya Dia told AFP.
Several of the accused are known to be close associates of the former minister of youth under Sall.
"My clients are in no way involved, whether directly or indirectly, in this case. They are completely unrelated to the acts attributed to them. They vigorously contest the allegations," Dia said.
Juan Branco, a French lawyer representing Toure, said the move marks "a modest and belated step forward, which is now expected to materialise in and pave the way towards a trial".
"The Senegalese authorities have an obligation to deliver results regarding these crimes," he said.
Amnesty International welcomes the proceedings and "will remain vigilant and committed at the side of the victims" its director in Senegal, Seydi Gassama, told AFP.
At least 65 people were killed between March 2021 and February 2024 in Senegal during demonstrations called by the opposition, according to a tally compiled by a collective of journalists and scientists.
Many young people were also injured or placed in detention. Officials within the new government have estimated a higher death toll of more than 80.
