Prominent Senegalese opposition politician Ousmane Sonko, has been arrested, his lawyer says.
Recall that the 46-year-old prominent opposition leader of the Pastef party was embattled in a rape allegation last month, as he was accused of raping a woman at a salon where he went to get massages.
His lawyer reported that Sonko was arrested as he travelled to court for a hearing in the pending rape case.
He is accused of disturbing public order in the capital, Dakar, as his motorcade was followed by hundreds of chanting supporters, who were dispersed by police with teargas.
Last Friday, Senegal’s parliament voted to strip Mr. Sonko of his immunity so the rape prosecution could proceed.
Mr. Sonko has however denied the rape accusation and says the charges are politically motivated to stop him running in elections in 2024.
Mr. Sonko came third in the 2019 presidential election and has accused President Macky Sall of manoeuvring to run for an unconstitutional third term.
