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In Senegal, the verdict was announced on Tuesday morning in the case of the three fathers of a family accused of starting their children on canoes on their way to Spain. One of the youths, Doudou, a minor, died in the sea at the end of October. His father had hopes that he would become a professional football player in Europe.
With our special correspondent in Mbour, Charlotte idrac
The hearing was held at Mbour District Court, about a hundred kilometers south of Dakar. A hearing where the family fathers were finally sentenced to two years in prison, including one month closed.
A lighter sentence than the two years in prison required by the prosecutor. The three men were released on charges of “involvement in the smuggling of immigrants”, but found themselves guilty of “endangering the lives of others”. In the absence of the defense lawyers, who asked for a clean and simple release, the discussion was very fast in a packed courtroom in this court where other convictions related to illegal immigration were announced.
Departures have resumed even more since October from the coast of Senegal to the Canary Islands and it is in this context that this trial that shares. Because it was not candidates for the trip who were convicted or intermediaries.
For the prosecution, these fathers have shown serious negligence by paying smugglers, by organizing these departures, including the young Doudou who turned to the tragedy. For the defense, on the other hand, these fathers are not the culprits but the victims themselves. For observers of this migration issue, this trial was part of a new “deterrent” strategy on the part of the state to send a message to families.
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