The esteemed journalist and television channel director, Aïssatou Diop Fall, was called for an interview this Tuesday by the National Police’s Special Cybersecurity Division (DSC). This summons follows a self-referral by the Public Prosecutor at the High Court of Dakar.

This official summons comes in the wake of statements captured in a video where she allegedly expressed a desire for the Pastef leader, Ousmane Sonko, to be abducted by terrorists. These declarations sparked a significant outcry on social media and across various segments of public opinion.

In response to the widespread condemnation, Aïssatou Diop Fall later released another video to offer her apologies. However, notwithstanding these public expressions of regret, Prosecutor Ibrahima Ndoye mandated her official convocation for an audition by cybersecurity services. In Senegal, such public statements can fall under several offenses outlined in the Penal Code and cybercrime legislation, particularly when remarks are publicly broadcast via the internet or social networks.

Under current legal provisions, the potential charges could include: incitement to violence or criminal acts, dissemination of content likely to disturb public order, or even indirect threats or calls for actions detrimental to an individual’s integrity. Within the framework of cybersecurity law, the distribution of content deemed dangerous or inciting on digital platforms can also lead to prosecution, even if the acts themselves do not materialize.

Depending on the specific legal classification determined by the prosecutor’s office, the penalties can vary. These typically range from fines to prison sentences, potentially extending to several years in the most severe cases involving incitement to violence or public threats. Nevertheless, the ultimate decision will hinge on the assessment made by DSC investigators and the prosecutor following the journalist’s interrogation and a thorough analysis of the contentious content.