NEWS
NADD PROCLAIMED COORDINATOR ARRESTED IN SEATTLE AMIDST IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS

BY STAFF WRITER



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October 19, 2005
A prominent supporter and proclaimed local coordinator for Gambia's new
opposition coalition NADD in Seattle, here in the US has been arrested by
US Immigration officials, The ALLGAMBIAN online Newspaper can reveal.

Bakary Jarju, who is in his early 30's was busted by Immigration law
enforcement officials, while he was about to enter his work place in
Seattle. Jarju, believed to be a native of Niumi, is a strong supporter of
NADD and had never hidden his opposition to the current Jammeh
dictatorship.

Mr. Jarju who was on Immigration deportation list, had his asylum case
denied by the US Immigration court. While awaiting his fate at the Tacoma
Immigration detention centre, Jarju was said to have left his two kids and
wife behind at his Seattle residence. He came into this country in 1997
and had since been going to school and working. Jarju is a nurse by
profession.

The ALLGAMBIAN gathered that Jarju had long been trailed by the
Immigration who had at one time called at his work place in his absence.
Unluckily, for him, he was busted the second time, the Immigration showed
up at his work place.

In Seattle, Jarju's arrest was greeted with mix reaction by The Gambian
Community. His friend and close associate Saidy Ceesay told The ALLGAMBIAN
that Jarju's arrest came as a big shock and surprise to them. Mr. Ceesay
who is also a strong NADD supporter appealed to US Immigration officials
not to send Bakary Jarju back to The Gambia. Mr. Ceesay has been living in
this country for the past eleven years. He warns that it would not be in
the interest of democracy, if Mr.Jarju is forcefully return to The Gambia
by the United States government.

"This guy is actively involved in Gambian politics and had never hidden
his opposition to the Jammeh dictatorship. He was the one who lodged NADD
leaders when they came to Seattle in July. Considering his close
association with NADD, it is our believe that if forcefully removed from
this country, he might be harmed by the Jammeh government." Mr. Ceesay
hinted.

Mr. Ceesay who paid a visit to his friend at the Tacoma detention centre,
says the Jammeh government is hostile to its critics and opponents. "We
are appealing to the Immigration to stay the deportation order against
Bakary Jarju and allow him to continue to live in this country. Any
attempts to send him out of this country, might pose a great risk to his
life. We are therefore appealing to the Immigration to grant him amnesty
in the interest of freedom and liberty. Saidy Ceesay noted.

According to Mr. Ceesay, Bakary Jarju was caught unaware about the
Immigration court decision which ordered him to leave the US. "The sad
thing is that his lawyer did not inform him about the immigration court
decision, which ordered for his departure from the country. He never knew
that there was such a decision on his case. He had hired another lawyer to
pursue his case. If his statement is to go by then, I'm disappointed by
his lawyer." Ceesay told The ALLGAMBIAN.

Mr. Ceesay added that Jarju at some point stopped going to work for about
two weeks amidst reports he received from his work place that the
Immigration were looking for him. "He was encouraged by his lawyer to go
back to work, as the lawyer told him that he cannot be arrested by the
Immigration, since there were moves to fight his case in the Immigration
court. As he was about to enter his work place, the immigration
intercepted him." Mr. Ceesay explained.

According to Mr. Ceesay, Bakary Jarju was also the former Vice President
of the US based Seattle Gambian Association and also a NADD local
coordinator in Seattle. "He was involved in NADD and Save The Gambia
Democracy Project activities. Jarju had also been advocating for Gambians
residing abroad to be allowed to vote in the 2006 elections." Mr. Ceesay
said.

An official of The Save The Gambia Democracy Project, who spoke to The
ALLGAMBIAN earlier clarified that NADD had supporters in Seattle and not a
Coordinator. The official who said he was not aware of Mr. Jarju's arrest
promised to get back to The ALLGAMBIAN later on, as he promised to verify
the story. Up to the time of going to press, the said Save The Gambia
official never get back to us.



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