MPs kicked pregnant colleague in the stomach after budget debate turns violent

03 January 2023 , 01:31

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Amy Ndiaye was attacked after she criticised an opposition religious figure (Image: bbc)

Two MPs have been sentenced to six months in prison after kicking a pregnant colleague in the stomach when a budget debate turned into a brawl in Senegal.

Amy Ndiaye was attacked by opposition MPs after she criticised a religious figure.

Mamadou Niang and Massata Samb were both given six-month jail terms, as well as being ordered to pay Ms Ndiaye 5 million CFA francs (£6,752) in compensation.

A video of the incident, which went viral online, shows Mr Samb slapping Ms Ndiaye after approaching her during a budget debate on December 1.

She throws a chair in response, but as she does so is kicked in her midriff by another man.

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Ms Ndiaye threw a chair after Massata Samb slapped her during a budget debate (bbc)

A mass brawl ensues as several MPs attempt to bring the situation under control.

BBC News reported that Ms Ndiaye, a member of the ruling Benno Bokk Yakaar coalition, fainted in parliament after the attack.

There were fears that she would lose her baby and, although she has since left hospital, she "remains in an extremely difficult situation", news agency AFP reported her lawyer Baboucar Cissé as saying.

Lawyers for Mr Niang and Mr Samb attempted to argue that the pair had not physically assaulted Ms Ndiaye, despite the video evidence.

They also unsuccessfully claimed that the MPs were immune from prosecution.

"They are going to remain in prison pending an appeal," one of their lawyers, Abdy Nar Ndiaye, told AFP.

Senegal's parliament has witnessed several tense scenes since the ruling government lost its majority in elections last July.

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David Clark