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Gambia released more than 200 prisoners on Friday, including 31 jailed for treason during multiple plots to overthrow long-ruling President Yahya Jammeh, prison officials said.Hundreds of cheering and weeping friends and relatives gathered outside the Mile 2 prison in the tiny West African country’s capital to greet them.
Those linked to a failed attempt to oust Jammeh in December remain imprisoned although their family members, including the elderly mother of the alleged ringleader, were freed, officials said.
Former inmates, some of whom were jailed for 15 years, took turns to express gratitude for their release, announced by Jammeh in a speech on Wednesday to celebrate 21 years since his accession by military coup.
Three Dutch citizens, a German and an Australian who had been jailed on drug charges were among 49 foreigners released, the officials added.
