Spy charges for Gambia politician

Banjul, 12 March-(ANA)-A court in Gambia has charged an opposition leader with spying, sedition and holding an illegal assembly.

Halifa Sallah was arrested on Monday and remains in prison because he was unable to meet bail requirements.

The leader of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) has been arrested several times before.

During elections three years ago he stood against Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh, who has been in power since a coup in 1994.

The charges against Mr Sallah said he had "obtained confidential information which could be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy", Reuters news agency reported.

He was also charged with holding an unlawful assembly "with intent to bring hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against the government", Reuters added. (ANA)

FA/ANA/12 March 2009---