Deadly protests rock Senegal as opposition leader sentenced to jail

FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate Ousmane Sonko speaks during a campaign rally in Pikine, on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal February 21, 2019. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

DAKAR (Reuters) -Nine people were killed in Senegal on Thursday in clashes between riot police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko after a court sentenced him to two years in jail, casting serious doubt on his chances of running for president next year.

Sonko, 48, did not attend the hearing over an alleged sexual assault. The justice ministry said the opposition leader could now be taken to prison at any time. Police remained stationed around his home Dakar as unrest flared in the capital and elsewhere after the verdict.