A Sengalese special prosecutor is seeking a 7-year prison sentence
for Karim Wade, the son of a former president, on charges of
illegal enrichment, Wade’s lawyer said on Wednesday.
Reuters report:
The prosecutor also wants to suspend Wade’s political
rights, a threat to his career. Wade headed several ministries during
the presidency of his father, Abdoulaye Wade, and is seen by many in the
historically stable West African country as a future leader.
The 46-year-old Wade denies any wrongdoing. His arrest has stoked
divisions and large crowds have gathered outside the courtroom on
several occasions since the trial began seven months ago, prompting
police to fire teargas. Graffiti scrawled across buildings in the
capital, Dakar, reads “Free Karim!”
In his closing remarks, prosecutor Cheikh Tidiane Mara late on
Tuesday also sought a 250 CFA billion-franc fine and the confiscation of
Wade’s assets. “The prosecutor is equally asking that Karim is denied
his political and civil rights and that is their real goal,” lawyer
Amadou Sall told Reuters.
Defense lawyers, who have frequently boycotted proceedings, are due
to make a concluding address. The court will then deliberate before
passing a final judgment.
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