Senegal's opposition leader jailed for 'corrupting youth'
Ousmane Sonko, the head of the opposition in Senegal, was found not guilty of rape but was given a two-year prison term for "corrupting the youth".
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
According to the politician's supporters, the trial was intended to disqualify Mr. Sonko from running in the upcoming presidential elections.
He has urged people to "rise up" and constantly denied wrongdoing.
At least 12 people died in violence after Mr. Sonko was detained in 2021.
He alleged that President of Senegal Macky Sall intended to serve an extra-constitutional third term in power.
The proprietor of the beauty salon where Sonko is accused of regularly torturing a staff member, Ndeye Khady Ndiaye, was also found guilty and given a two-year prison term by the court.
Sonko's supporters claim the charges against him are politically motivated, which the government and legal system dispute, and the case has sparked violent protests in Senegal's streets.
The electoral code of Senegal prohibits those who have been convicted of a crime from running for political office.
Sonko is also contesting a libel conviction and six-month prison term with a suspended sentence. It's unclear how that distinct conviction will affect his presidential campaign at this time.
