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January 16, 2025 – Senegal –
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised serious concerns over the conviction of Senegalese journalist René Capain Bassène, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in a 2018 massacre in the Bayotte Forest region near Ziguinchor, Senegal. CPJ’s recent investigation has revealed major procedural flaws, coerced testimony, and questionable evidence, suggesting Bassène may have been wrongfully convicted.
Bassène, a former correspondent and editor known for his reporting on the separatist conflict in Senegal’s Casamance region, was arrested in 2018 along with several others following the killing of 14 men in the forest. Despite maintaining his innocence, Bassène was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Senegal’s Supreme Court upheld the conviction in January 2025, sparking renewed calls for justice.
CPJ’s findings are troubling. Several key witnesses have recanted their testimonies, stating they were coerced or threatened by authorities to falsely implicate Bassène. One witness reportedly signed a statement under duress while blindfolded. In addition, inconsistencies in the prosecution’s timeline suggest Bassène and his co-accused could not have been at the crime scene during the massacre. CPJ also questioned the authenticity of emails cited as evidence, raising doubts about their origin and validity.
Moreover, Bassène was reportedly subjected to mistreatment while in pretrial detention, including beatings that resulted in injuries confirmed by medical records. His health has since deteriorated, and he was recently transferred to a medical facility in Dakar.
Despite these red flags, Senegalese courts have refused to reopen the case. CPJ is now urging the authorities to launch an independent review and to ensure that Bassène’s rights are respected. CPJ Africa representative Moussa Ngom emphasized that this conviction not only risks punishing an innocent man but also sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Senegal.
The conviction of René Capain Bassène appears riddled with inconsistencies, forced confessions, and questionable evidence. As pressure mounts, Senegal’s justice system faces a crucial test: uphold the rule of law or allow injustice to silence critical journalism.
Reference –
CPJ finds flaws, inconsistencies in murder conviction of Senegalese journalist René Capain Bassène
