Dakar court denies provisional release for khardiata tandian in ousmane sonko signature case
The Dakar Correctional Court has once again postponed its decision in the high-profile case involving the alleged falsification of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, in which Khardiata Tandian is implicated. The verdict, initially anticipated on Thursday, July 9, 2026, has now been rescheduled for July 23 of the same year.
This latest adjournment stems from the continued absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, who is identified as the alleged accomplice of the defendant. His non-appearance prompted the court to delay proceedings further.
Furthermore, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s plea for provisional release. Her defense counsel strongly argued that his client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. « She has been held in detention for over a year,» stated her lawyer. « The potential sentence she faces could well be covered by her period of pre-trial incarceration. She is a married woman and a mother, and her social circumstances continue to deteriorate with each day she remains imprisoned. »
The prosecutor, however, opposed this request, asserting that granting Khardiata Tandian her freedom would disrupt public order. The prosecution also contended that the defendant failed to provide adequate assurances of her future appearance in court.
In response, the defense maintained that there was no risk of witness intimidation or any disturbance to public order. They further highlighted that Khardiata Tandian had already testified before the bench, thereby making any distortion of the facts impossible.
Aligning with the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court ultimately rejected Khardiata Tandian’s application for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the final deliberation, now scheduled for July 23, 2026.
This latest adjournment stems from the continued absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, who is identified as the alleged accomplice of the defendant. His non-appearance prompted the court to delay proceedings further.
Furthermore, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s plea for provisional release. Her defense counsel strongly argued that his client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. « She has been held in detention for over a year,» stated her lawyer. « The potential sentence she faces could well be covered by her period of pre-trial incarceration. She is a married woman and a mother, and her social circumstances continue to deteriorate with each day she remains imprisoned. »
The prosecutor, however, opposed this request, asserting that granting Khardiata Tandian her freedom would disrupt public order. The prosecution also contended that the defendant failed to provide adequate assurances of her future appearance in court.
In response, the defense maintained that there was no risk of witness intimidation or any disturbance to public order. They further highlighted that Khardiata Tandian had already testified before the bench, thereby making any distortion of the facts impossible.
Aligning with the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court ultimately rejected Khardiata Tandian’s application for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the final deliberation, now scheduled for July 23, 2026.