Legal proceedings delayed as court hears falsification case
The Criminal Court in Dakar has postponed the verdict in the falsification of Ousmane Sonko’s signature case involving Khardiata Tandian until July 23, 2026. Initially scheduled for July 9, 2026, the decision was adjourned due to the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice of the defendant.
Preventive detention upheld despite defense arguments
In a separate ruling, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all eligibility criteria—having spent over a year in pretrial detention, being married, and a mother—while emphasizing that any potential sentence may already be covered by her time served. They warned that further incarceration would severely disrupt her social and family life.
The prosecution vehemently contested her release, asserting that her freedom could disrupt public order and that she failed to provide sufficient guarantees for future court appearances. Though the defense maintained there was no risk of witness tampering since she had already testified, the court sided with the prosecution’s stance. As a result, Khardiata Tandian remains in custody pending the final judgment next year.
