On August 5, 2023, Juan Branco, a French-Spanish lawyer representing Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, was arrested near the Mauritania border and transferred to Dakar. He faced charges of “attacks, conspiracy, dissemination of fake news, and actions liable to compromise public safety or cause serious political disturbance,” as announced by his legal team. The detention followed his appearance before a judge on August 6, five days after Sonko was charged with fomenting insurrection and detained, escalating tensions ahead of Senegal’s February 2024 presidential election.
Context of Political Persecution
Branco’s arrest stems from his role in defending Sonko, who has faced multiple charges over the past two years, including a June 2023 conviction for “corrupting youth,” which sparked deadly riots. Sonko claims these charges are politically motivated to block his candidacy. Branco, targeted by an international arrest warrant since mid-July, had accused Senegal’s President Macky Sall of “crimes against humanity” during the unrest, announcing plans to pursue justice at the International Criminal Court. His French defense team labeled the charges against him as politically driven, appealing to the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Arrest.
Defiant Entry and Escape Attempt
Despite the warrant, Branco secretly entered Senegal and appeared at a July 30 press conference with Sonko’s legal team, declaring, “We came here to tell you that we’re not afraid,” on X. He later attempted to flee to Mauritania via a fishing boat, disguised as a fisherman, but was apprehended. His high-profile activism, including defending France’s Yellow Vest protesters and affiliations with La France Insoumise, has made him a polarizing figure, amplifying the international attention on his detention.
Release and Deportation
Branco’s detention was brief. On August 7, 2023, he was released under judicial supervision and deported to France, arriving at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport on August 8. Senegal’s Justice Minister, Ismaïla Madior Fall, confirmed the deportation, noting Branco’s refusal to eat or drink during his 48-hour detention in Rebeuss prison. Despite his release, the charges against him remain, with potential for trial in France under judicial cooperation agreements. The Senegalese Bar Council condemned the irregular arrest of another Sonko lawyer, Babacar Ndiaye, highlighting broader concerns about legal freedoms.
Ongoing Controversy
The case has sparked debate over Senegal’s judicial independence and press freedom, with Branco’s team alleging political persecution. Recent posts on X from August 2025 indicate Branco continues to challenge Senegalese authorities, accusing them of ignoring Spanish judicial inquiries into his arrest’s circumstances. His actions, including criticizing the new government under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Sonko, keep the issue alive, raising questions about Senegal’s political stability and its handling of dissent as the 2024 election looms.
