A second postponement in a closely watched case
Khardiata Tandian remains behind bars as the Dakar Criminal Court once again delays its ruling in the case involving the alleged falsification of Ousmane Sonko’s signature. The court had originally scheduled its decision for July 9, 2026, but the judge has pushed the verdict to July 23. This marks the second delay in the proceedings.
The latest adjournment stems from the court’s need to secure the presence of another individual implicated in the case—Chérif Zeyni Abidin Sy, described as Tandian’s alleged accomplice. His absence during the trial has prevented the court from finalizing its decision, prompting the judge to reschedule.
Defense pushes for provisional release amid mounting arguments
With the new hearing date set for July 23, Khardiata Tandian’s legal team has seized the opportunity to formally request her provisional release. The defense argues that all procedural documents have already been submitted, making continued detention unnecessary. They also emphasize that Tandian has already been questioned by the court, eliminating concerns about witness tampering or evidence manipulation.
In a compelling appeal, the lawyer highlighted that Tandian has spent over a year in pre-trial detention, a period that could potentially cover any sentence she might receive. Additionally, her legal team pointed to the deteriorating social and family situation of their client, a married mother of one, whose prolonged incarceration is taking an increasingly severe toll on her personal life.
Despite these arguments, the court remained unconvinced.
Prosecution opposes release, citing public order concerns
The public prosecutor opposed the defense’s request, arguing that granting provisional release would pose a risk to public order. The prosecution also contended that Tandian did not provide sufficient guarantees to ensure her continued presence throughout the trial. After weighing both sides, the court sided with the prosecution, denying the request.
As a result, Khardiata Tandian will remain in detention until the new verdict date. The outcome of the case now hinges on the presence of Chérif Zeyni Abidin Sy at the next hearing. His absence has already derailed earlier attempts to conclude the trial, and the court insists on hearing from all parties involved before reaching a final decision.
Unless further delays occur, Tandian’s fate will be decided on July 23, 2026. Until then, she remains incarcerated, her plea for freedom unmet.