Senegal Arrests Man Over TikTok Threats Against Israeli Athletes
A Senegalese man was arrested after posting a TikTok video threatening Israeli athletes at the Dakar Youth Olympics. Amnesty International has called for his release.
Senegalese authorities have arrested a 27-year-old construction worker after he published a video on TikTok urging resistance against the participation of Israeli athletes in the Youth Olympic Games currently taking place in Dakar. The suspect, identified as Amadou Sarang Diallo from the town of Ngakouk, warned in the viral clip that Israeli athletes "will not find peace" if they arrive in the country.
According to local media reports, Diallo was detained by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Senegalese police and transferred to prosecutors. During questioning, he expressed remorse and claimed his remarks were a "communication mistake," insisting he intended to call for peaceful protest rather than violence against the athletes.
Investigators also questioned Diallo regarding previous social media posts critical of current Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former President Macky Sall. Local reports indicated he apologized for those statements as well, admitting he erred in how he expressed his views.
The case drew a sharp response from civil society when Sedikh Gassama, executive director of Amnesty International in Senegal, called on authorities to release Diallo. "Release Amadou Sarang Diallo! Respect freedom of expression! Amadou Sarang Diallo is not a violent person," Gassama wrote on X, noting the young man had previously participated in peaceful demonstrations concerning the conflict in Gaza.
The Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, which opened on October 31, mark the first time the event is being held on the African continent. Senegalese authorities have implemented extensive security measures to safeguard all participating international delegations.
