Two opposition Senegalese lawmakers were given six-month prison sentences on Monday for physically assaulting a female parliamentarian.
Amy Ndiaye, a legislator who supported the administration, was slapped and then kicked in the stomach during a disorderly National Assembly session, a case that triggered a painful discussion about democracy in Senegal.
MPs Mamadou Niang and Massata Samb were each given six-month jail sentences.
Additionally, they were each sentenced to a 100,000 CFA franc fine ($150) and told to pay five million CFA francs in damages. Two-year sentences were sought by the prosecution.
On December 1, a regular vote on the budget for the justice ministry was interrupted by the brawl.
It was sparked by remarks Ndiaye had made about Serigne Moustapha Sy, an influential Muslim leader who supports the opposition but is not a lawmaker.
After order was restored, Ndiaye fainted and was given hospital treatment — her lawyer Baboucar Cisse said she was pregnant and there were fears she could lose her baby.
She has since left hospital but “remains in an extremely difficult situation,” Cisse said.
The incident triggered a fierce debate about parliamentary discourse and attacks on women. It notably coincided with an awareness campaign against domestic violence.
