A Lisbon court overturned Mamadou Ba’s sentence and ordered a retrial

The Lisbon Court of Appeal (TRL) has overturned the conviction of anti-racism activist Mamadou Ba in a libel case against far-right activist Mario Machado, ordering a retrial, reports SOS Racismo.

In a statement sent to Lusa this Saturday, SOS Racismo states that The Relationship considers that the local criminal court of Lisbon “has not made an explicit assessment of the arguments presented by the defense and has not even formulated and contextualized the statements of Mamadou Ba.” especially in light of the tragic events that occurred on the day of the death of Alcindo Monteiro, the involvement of Mario Machado and his violent past, or the civil intervention of Mamadou Bá himself as an anti-racist activist and defender of human rights.”

“For these reasons, the appealed sentence was quashed for lack of basis and a new trial was ordered, limited to an examination of the facts in the light of the documentation and evidence presented in the case, which allows the publication of Mamadou Ba to be properly contextualized,” reports SOS Racismo.

SOS Racismo emphasizes that “the legal process does not end here”, but “welcomes this decision of the Lisbon Court of Appeal and the opportunity that is now given to Mamadou Ba to be able to fully defend himself, to see his reasons properly analyzed and considered in court and ultimately be acquitted of the shameful charge brought against him.”

“SOS Racismo stands in solidarity with Mamadou Ba and all people who fight for democracy, against racism and xenophobia,” the statement said.

In October 2023, the Lisbon Local Criminal Court sentenced Mamadou Ba to a fine of 2,400 euros for defaming Mario Machado. In this case, we are talking about a publication on social networks in which Mamadou Ba wrote that Mario Machado was one of the main defendants in the murder on the night of June 10, 1995 of a young black man, Alcindo Monteiro, in Bairro Alto. in Lisbon, committed by neo-Nazi elements.