By: Abdoulie John
In a dramatic courtroom scene that has gripped the nation, popular Senegalese television presenter Pape Cheikh Diallo burst into tears and declared, “I am not a criminal!” after a judge informed him and his co-defendants that they would remain in custody pending further investigation.
The emotional outburst occurred on Monday at the Pikine-Guédiawaye High Court, where Justice Saliou Dicko presided over the initial hearing for 12 men, including Diallo and well-known singer Djiby Dramé. The group faces serious charges including criminal conspiracy, “unnatural acts” (a legal term in Senegal for same-sex relations), endangering the lives of others, voluntary transmission of HIV/AIDS, and money laundering.
Prosecutors argued that the ongoing probe by the Keur Massar Gendarmerie required continued detention, as investigators continue to gather evidence. The judge agreed, issuing remand orders for all accused. Reports indicate that several of the men, including some confirmed as HIV-positive, broke down in tears alongside Diallo as the decision was announced.
Diallo, 44, whose real name is Cheikh Ahmadou Tidiane Diallo, is a prominent host on TFM television, known for his celebrity interview show “Quartier Général” and a massive following, particularly among young people on platforms like TikTok. Dramé is a recognized musician. The arrests stem from an initial case involving an HIV-positive individual who allegedly confessed to knowingly infecting others through contacts made via WhatsApp groups and dating sites.
According to police and local media reports, including Seneweb, authorities intercepted an iPhone 11 containing evidence of online groups facilitating same-sex encounters. Several defendants reportedly confessed during interrogations. One early arrestee, Pape Salif Rall Thiam, admitted to infecting about a dozen men, many described as bisexual. Other accounts detail personal relationships among the accused, including Diallo, Dramé, and bank clerk Doudou Lamine Dieng.
The case has intensified scrutiny on homosexuality in Senegal, where same-sex acts remain criminalized under Article 319 of the Penal Code, carrying potential prison sentences. It has sent shockwaves through society, with some media outlets describing it as exposing a broader “network.” Rights groups, such as the Paris-based Stop Homophobie, have condemned the arrests, warning they could heighten stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the predominantly Muslim country.
Prosecutors have requested isolation for those confirmed HIV-positive to mitigate transmission risks in detention. Lawyers for Diallo have pushed back against some media claims, with one stating that “a lot of what’s being said… is not true.”
As the judicial investigation continues, more revelations—and possibly additional arrests—appear likely. The case underscores Senegal’s ongoing tensions over sexual orientation, public health, and celebrity accountability, leaving many Senegalese debating morality, privacy, and justice.
