DAKAR, July 29 (Reuters) - Senegal's opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was charged on Saturday with plotting an insurrection, criminal conspiracy and other offenses, two months after his trial for a separate rape charge sparked deadly riots across the country.
Sonko, 49, was handed a two-year prison sentence on June 1 for immoral behavior towards individuals younger than 21, leading to protests in which at least 16 people were killed.
Sonko was detained on Friday following a scuffle with security forces stationed outside his home, who he claimed were filming him without permission.
Playing videos from a laptop of Sonko making allegedly inciteful speeches, Senegal's state prosecutor Abdou Karim Diop told a crowded press conference that Sonko would be freshly charged with calling for insurrection, plotting against the state and criminal conspiracy, among other charges.
Reporting by Ngouda Dione; Writing by Cooper Inveen; Editing by Bate FelixOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Abdou Karim Diop, Ngouda Dione, Cooper Inveen, Bate Felix
Organizations:
Thomson
Locations:
DAKAR