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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Couple jailed for Gambia sedition | Couple jailed for Gambia sedition |
| (3 days later) | |
| A Scottish missionary and his wife, who pleaded guilty to sedition charges in Gambia, have been sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour. | A Scottish missionary and his wife, who pleaded guilty to sedition charges in Gambia, have been sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour. |
| David and Fiona Fulton were arrested last month after sending e-mails to groups and individuals which criticised the country's government. | David and Fiona Fulton were arrested last month after sending e-mails to groups and individuals which criticised the country's government. |
| The couple changed their original not guilty plea last week. | The couple changed their original not guilty plea last week. |
| Mr Fulton, 60, is from Troon in Ayrshire. His 46-year-old wife is from Torquay in Devon. | Mr Fulton, 60, is from Troon in Ayrshire. His 46-year-old wife is from Torquay in Devon. |
| Last week the couple pleaded guilty to charges of sedition against the government of President Yahya Jammeh. | Last week the couple pleaded guilty to charges of sedition against the government of President Yahya Jammeh. |
| Hard labour | Hard labour |
| They issued a public apology but their remorse did not mollify the judge. | They issued a public apology but their remorse did not mollify the judge. |
| The Fultons admitted publishing e-mails with seditious comments with intent to bring hatred or contempt against the president or the government. | The Fultons admitted publishing e-mails with seditious comments with intent to bring hatred or contempt against the president or the government. |
| Presiding magistrate Idrissa Mbai said: "I found the offences of the accused party to be very shocking and they have shown no respect for the country, the government and the president of the republic. I will send a clear message to the offenders. | Presiding magistrate Idrissa Mbai said: "I found the offences of the accused party to be very shocking and they have shown no respect for the country, the government and the president of the republic. I will send a clear message to the offenders. |
| They've never said anything bad about anybody. They've just asked us to pray for people out there Karen Hill, friend of the Fultons | |
| "I therefore sentence you to a fine of 250,000 dalasis (about £6,250) and mandatory jail time of one year with hard labour." | "I therefore sentence you to a fine of 250,000 dalasis (about £6,250) and mandatory jail time of one year with hard labour." |
| If the couple do not pay the fine they face an additional six months in prison. | If the couple do not pay the fine they face an additional six months in prison. |
| They can lodge an appeal within 20 days, but it was not clear if they would do so. | They can lodge an appeal within 20 days, but it was not clear if they would do so. |
| Karen Hill, who is a friend of the couple, said she was horrified by the sentence. | |
| She told the BBC: "I am really shocked and very worried about them. I think they were hoping that they would get sent home, perhaps. | |
| "They've never said anything bad about anybody. They've just asked us to pray for people out there that they're working with. | |
| 'Seeking clarity' | |
| "Fiona worked with people who were terminally ill and Dave worked among people that he could reach in the villages on his boat - and in my emails, that I had, there was never anything said bad, so it's very hard to believe they could have done anything wrong really." | |
| The tiny west African country inside Senegal, has been criticised in recent years for its human rights record. | The tiny west African country inside Senegal, has been criticised in recent years for its human rights record. |
| Mr Jammeh, an outspoken military officer and former wrestler, has ruled the former British colony since seizing power in a 1994. | |
| A spokesman for the Foreign Office said consular staff had been providing assistance to the Fultons. | A spokesman for the Foreign Office said consular staff had been providing assistance to the Fultons. |
| He said the Foreign Office was "seeking clarity" over what hard labour meant "in this context". | He said the Foreign Office was "seeking clarity" over what hard labour meant "in this context". |
| He added that it was a decision for the Fultons with their legal representative as to whether they appealed against the judgement. | He added that it was a decision for the Fultons with their legal representative as to whether they appealed against the judgement. |
| The spokesman said that the couple's two-year-old daughter was being cared for by a family friend in the family home. | The spokesman said that the couple's two-year-old daughter was being cared for by a family friend in the family home. |