By Demba Saidy
A same-sex couple arrested last Friday in an unfinished building in Old Yundum has been released without charge, following two nights in police custody.
The two men, aged 18 and 22, were apprehended by officers of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) on April 18. A video sent to What’s On-Gambia showed the pair admitting to engaging in a same-sex activity.
According to police sources, the pair was held at the Anti-Crime Unit headquarters in Banjulinding before being released on orders from higher authorities. No official charges were filed.
Sources close to the matter indicated that the decision to release them may have been influenced by concerns over international reaction. “The authorities didn’t want the case to escalate to court. There are fears it could spark a backlash from international partners and potentially jeopardize foreign aid,” the source said.
The pair are originally from a village (name withheld) in the Upper River Region. The younger of the two is a student.