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Prominent Senegalese opposition politician Ousmane Sonko has been arrested. The announcement was made by his lawyers.
He is accused of disturbing public order in the capital, Dakar, as he travelled to court for a hearing in a rape case.
His motorcade was followed by hundreds of chanting supporters, who were dispersed by police with teargas, BBC News reports.
On Friday, Senegal’s parliament voted the lifting of Mr Sonko’s immunity so the rape prosecution could proceed.
Mr Sonko denies he raped a woman at a salon where he went to get massages.
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The 46-year-old, who heads the opposition Pastef party, says the charges are politically motivated to stop him running in elections in 2024.
Mr Sonko came third in the 2019 presidential election and accused President Macky Sall of manoeuvering to change the constitution in order to run for a third term.
