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BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — In Gambia, 11 more people who were jailed for peacefully protesting have now been released on bail, said a human rights group.
They were the last of those arrested after demonstrations in April and May of this year. Their release comes a week after Gambia's longtime ruler lost elections and agreed to step aside after 22 years in power.
President-elect Adama Barrow has vowed to release all political prisoners and already 31 others have been released on bail since the Dec. 1 vote.
Sabrina Mahtani, West Africa researcher with Amnesty International, said Thursday that the release of the prisoners is "another step forward for justice" in Gambia. She said people should not forget other Gambian political prisoners still languishing in jail.
Outgoing President Yahya Jammeh is accused of arresting, jailing and killing his opponents to solidify his hold on power.
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