The French lawyer for Senegal’s opposition leader and presidential hopeful Ousmane Sonko arrived back in Paris on Tuesday morning after being expelled from the West African country.
Juan Branco had entered Senegal several days ago to represent Mr Sonko despite an arrest warrant issued against him.
He was eventually detained on Sunday on charges of assault, conspiracy, dissemination of false news, acts likely to compromise public security or cause serious political unrest, illegal stay and contempt of court, according to his lawyers.
“He was taken out of prison on Monday morning and presented to the judge, who notified him of his placement under judicial supervision,” said one of his lawyers, Robin Binsard.
Mr Branco was then handed over to the police for deportation, says his lawyer, adding, “the minister of the interior issued an order to expel him”.
Mr Branco had refused to eat and drink while in detention, Senegalese Justice Minister Ismaïla Madior Fall told the BBC.
His client, Ousmane Sonko, is still receiving care at Dakar’s main hospital, according to the opposition leader’s now-dissolved party, the Patriots of Senegal (Pastef).
Mr Branco had particularly attracted attention by announcing a complaint in France in June against the Senegalese president for “crimes against humanity” when Dakar had just experienced its worst unrest in years.
He also asked the International Criminal Court in The Hague to investigate President Macky Sall.