The Brikama Magistrate Court - presided over by Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh - last Monday, January 19, 2009, convicted one Jorg Kruanw, a German, of sedition.

The convict was handed a fine of D5000, in default to serve one year imprisonment. The court further ordered him to write an apology to the IGP. According to the facts of the case, while boarding a car from Serrekunda heading towards Sanyang, Jorg made certain remarks against the police and people of The Gambia and Guinea Bissau by saying that the police officers and citizens of both countries are corrupt.

When the charge was read to him, he admitted making the statements but asserted that he had not made them with malicious intent. Magistrate Jammeh, in his ruling, said he would not impose a custodial sentence to him but would fine him in order to deter other people from making such remarks.

He said The Gambia is open to everybody but provided that they are willing to adhere to the laws of the country.