Accused following a romantic dispute, two young people regain their freedom after four years in prison

Charged with conspiracy, burglary committed at night with violence, and carrying a weapon, El Hadj Diouf and Mbaye Thiaw were ultimately acquitted by the Mbour criminal court. The two young men had spent four years in pretrial detention in a case stemming from a romantic dispute.

In court, El Hadj Diouf explained the circumstances of their arrest. “They found us at the bus terminal and arrested us. A long time ago, I had a disagreement with Mamadou Korka Diallo. I had even forgotten about this altercation, which took place a month before our arrest,” he stated. The two young men were arrested around midnight while they were having dinner at a small restaurant. It was September 21, 2022.

On that day, Amadou Korka Diallo filed a complaint, stating that two individuals had broken into his home. According to his statement, the assailants stole 13,500 CFA francs, two Wave cards, and an identity document before setting fire to his mattress.

The investigation concluded that the incident stemmed from a dispute related to a romantic relationship. The plaintiff was in a relationship with Mbaye Thiaw's ex-girlfriend. According to the prosecution, the two defendants knocked on the victim's door. When she refused to open it, they allegedly broke a window with a brick to gain entry to the bedroom.

But the two defendants strongly denied the accusations. The plaintiff was absent from the hearing. The public prosecutor requested that the law be applied.

The defense, led by Ahmadou Bamba Ndiaye, pointed out numerous inconsistencies in the case. The lawyer argued that his clients had refused to sign their statements, believing that the declarations contained therein were not theirs and that they refused to have the alleged acts attributed to them.

Attorney Ndiaye also pointed out that the plaintiffs claimed not to know the defendants, even though they lived in the same neighborhood. He further noted the lack of testimony from neighbors that could corroborate the prosecution's version of events.

At the end of the proceedings, the criminal chamber acquitted El Hadj Diouf and Mbaye Thiaw, ending four years of detention in this case.