Dakar Court of Appeal denies release for Pape Cheikh Diallo and others

The Dakar Court of Appeal's indictment chamber has rejected provisional release requests for Pape Cheikh Diallo, Djiby Dramé, and Doudou Lamine Dieng. The decision confirms a previous ruling by the investigating judge of the Pikine-Guédiawaye High Court, who had deemed the requests inadmissible following an order issued on August 7, 2026.

The three individuals—an entertainer, an artist, and a banker—will remain in detention pending their appearance before the Pikine-Guédiawaye criminal court. This case is part of a larger legal proceeding involving 99 individuals.

In the initial August 7 ruling, the investigating judge issued a partial dismissal and referred 71 individuals to criminal court for charges including criminal conspiracy and acts against nature, while 28 others received a total dismissal. Charges regarding endangering lives and the intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS were dismissed. However, the public prosecutor, Saliou Dicko, has appealed, seeking the referral of all accused individuals to trial.