Published in FOROYAA of 10-14 June, 1999. AUTHORITIES SAY NYASSI IS NOT UNDER THE CUSTODY OF THE POLICE, N.I.A. OR ANY SECURITY FORCE Letter To Shyngle Nyassi's Family We have been making efforts to find out what has happened to Shyngle Nyassi. We have addressed a number of letters to the Head of State and had requested for his release if he is detained by the State. There are definite laws which should govern the arrest and detention of individuals. We have made reference to these laws in the letters we addressed to the President, among others. However, we have come to gather that Shyngle Nyassi is not under the custody of the National intelligence Agency (NIA), the police or any security force. In short, he is not under lawful arrest and detention. This makes the situation a bit complicated. It simply means that Shyngle Nyassi has been abducted by people who are not pursuing law enforcement procedures. It is, therefore, necessary to take a new approach to the situation. The family members, who have witnessed his abduction, should immediately go to Brikama Police Station to give report of Shyngle Nyassi's abduction. They should ensure that an accurate report is given of what they saw. The matter would then be taken up from there. On the other hand, through this open letter, we hope that those who are currently holding Shyngle Nyassi under custody would understand the implications. If anything happens to him, the State will be compelled to investigate. The end result is that the person or persons involved will ultimately be the scapegoats. It is important for such people to bear in mind that such mysterious disappearances of people can never give credit to anybody they support. Claims that Shyngle Nyassi has been insulting President Jammeh cannot serve as defence for his abduction. This country has laws, and people should not take the law into their own hands. Once each person takes the law into his or her own hands, our society would be transformed into a jungle where the fittest survive. It is to the best interest of his abductors to take him back to his home before it is too late. The longer they take to act, and the more they subject him to any form of degradation, the bigger the crime and the severer the penalty. In your trying moments, as a family, please be assured of the support of all Gambians who want to see maturity displayed on all sides of the political spectrum so as to ensure peaceful co-existence among our people. Halifa Sallah For: The Central Committee ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------