René Capain Bassène, known for his reporting on the Casamance conflict, was arrested at his home on January 14, 2018, accused of organizing a January 6 massacre in the Bayotte Forest where 14 loggers were killed. On June 13, 2022, Bassène was sentenced to life imprisonment on several murder charges. In late 2024, however, CPJ’s investigations exposed serious flaws in the case, including coerced testimonies and inconsistencies in key evidence. In January 2025, Bassène filed a second appeal, now pending before Senegal’s Supreme Court, as doubts about his conviction continue to grow.
René Capain Bassène
Is case active: Yes
Country:Senegal
Region:Sub-Saharan Africa
Gender:Male
Status:Imprisoned
Years active:2024