By Mustapha Jallow
The family of Modou Sarr, a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), who is said to be arrested and detained since 9 May 2016 by the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), is calling for his release.
Ajaratou Mberry Sarr, an elder sister to Mr. Sarr, who is presently ill and bedridden, told this reporter at her residence in Banjul that they have not seen him since he left home on that fateful Monday and still do not know his whereabouts.
“We were only told that he was arrested on the way while going to the Kombos but have not heard from him since then and his wife is very worried as she does not know the whereabouts of her husband,” she said.
She also said that Mr. Sarr is nursing an injury on one of his legs and needs treatment.
“I’m really concerned about his present state of health in detention and whether he is getting the necessary treatment from those holding him. He also left home putting on only one shirt and trouser which needs to be changed,” said the elder sister.
She said they want those who are detaining Mr. Sarr to let the family know where he is being held and to allow them access to bring clean clothes and toiletries to him at his place of detention and to release him.
The National President of the UDP has earlier revealed that 36 of their supporters were arrested by the PIU around Kanifing on 9 May while en route to the Kombos from Banjul after the court appearance of their party leader and other members on that day. Mr. Sarr is among the 36 UDP supporters who were arrested on this day and held incommunicado since then.
However, at the time of going to press, the Police Public Relation Officer (PRO) ASP Lamin Njie, who promised to shed light on this issue after making enquiries, did not get back to us.
