FREDERICK, Md. (AP) — The State Department says it’s closely monitoring Gambia’s detention of a U.S. citizen from Maryland who was arrested during an anti-government demonstration while visiting her native country in April.
Although she has family connections to the main opposition party, Fanta Jawara’s husband said Wednesday she was a bystander when she was arrested April 16 near the capital city of Banjul.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said during a June 1 press briefing that Jawara participated in the protest.
The Washington Post reports that she’s charged with unlawful assembly, rioting and five other offenses.
Jawara’s uncle Ousainou (oh-SAY’-noo) Darboe, an opposition party leader, was also arrested.
Both Kirby and Jawara’s husband, Ebrima (eh-BREE’-mah) Jawara, tell news media they’re concerned about her treatment in the prison where she’s being held.
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