‘Outsider’ criticism of verdict blasted by NGO
In a bluntly worded statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shot back at critics of the Mam Sonando verdict, stressing that there were no political motivations to the case and accusing “outsiders” of trying to pressure a sovereign court.
“Mr. Mam Sonando is the mastermind of the secessionist movement, as some key witnesses have testified against him before the court,” reads a spokesman statement dated Friday and issued in response to “adverse reactions”. …
Officials from the US, France and European Union offered unusually critical statements, some calling for swift appeals, while others asked for the conviction to be dropped outright.
While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such calls amounted to political interference, rights workers said it was a farce to pretend the courts operated any differently. …
