Gambian warlord’s enforcer accused of torture found living freely in Scotland

A former enforcer for a Gambian warlord, implicated in a slew of torture allegations, is reportedly residing freely in Scotland.

Human rights organisations and politicians are clamouring for immediate action following the Sunday Mail’s discovery of ex-intelligence agent Alagie Morr, also known as Edrissa Jobe, living in a Glasgow flat.

Morr, who played a key role in the oppressive regime of Gambia’s notorious leader Yahya Jammeh, has been linked by government probes to horrific abuses including beatings, sexual assaults, and the electrocution of prisoners.

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There are now vociferous calls for Morr to be brought to justice, potentially facing extradition back to Gambia, which has transitioned to a democratic republic.

However, from his residence in Glasgow’s east end, Morr expressed fears for his safety: “It’s not safe for me to go home. I will be killed or I will kill somebody.”, reports the Daily Record.

Having settled in the Barlanark area of Glasgow for several years, Morr awaits the outcome of his asylum claim.

In an unrelated incident last year, he faced charges under the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Act for allegedly attacking his partner or ex-partner near his home in March; however, these charges were subsequently dropped by the Procurator Fiscal, leading to no further legal proceedings.

Police Scotland and the Crown Office are reportedly reviewing information about Morr’s alleged crimes in Gambia to determine whether to take action, which could include extradition.

Morr was identified by Gambia’s Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) as a high-ranking agent in the president’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG).

The commission’s reports repeatedly link him to horrific incidents where detainees reported being stripped naked, handcuffed, beaten and sexually assaulted.

One alleged victim, left with broken teeth, reported being kicked and stripped by Morr before having his trousers ripped off and genitals handled roughly.

Some of those tortured reported being electrocuted, but it remains unclear which agents were responsible for this punishment.

Reed Brody, an international war crimes prosecutor and spokesperson for Human Rights Watch in Brussels, stated: “Edrissa Jobe, or Alagie Morr as he is also known, was a close associate of Yahya Jammeh.”

“He has been credibly implicated in multiple cases of torture in Gambia where the Truth Commission has called for his prosecution.”

“One way or another, in Scotland or Gambia, Alagie Morr should be brought to justice.”

When confronted at his Glasgow home by the Sunday Mail, the father of two insisted that he was not the decision maker in Jammeh’s government.

In an uncooperative manner towards a female reporter, he stated: “I’ve been here for seven years. I’ve had four or five interviews with the Home Office and no response on my asylum application. I know nothing about an extradition. I love this place.”

He expressed pain over talks of human rights violations, as he said, “Talk of human rights violations, it hurts me. I was not the decision maker in that government. Interrogation was not under my care.”

Morr went on to describe his role saying, “My job was to take statement and compile files to be passed to the prosecutors to make a decision on if they would have a case.”

He defended his actions by stating, “I was trying to impose justice for my country and globally.”

He pointed fingers back at his accusers saying, “The people who are accusing me of human rights violations and torture were people who were arrested and taken to court.”

Morr showed scepticism against his accusers arguing, “The people involved in making these alleged human rights allegations know what they are doing.”

He further elucidated their motives behind such allegations by stating, “They know as soon as you are accused of alleged human rights violations and torture they know your asylum claim is done.”

Morr informed about his solitary life mentioning his children are living elsewhere and wife died four years ago.

With added layers of mystery to his story, he shared sadly: “I don’t know where my wife is buried or why she died. I will not live with my family feeling threatened as I was doing the right thing.”

He explained his constant fear claiming, “As long as the government officials and cartel are conspiring, my life is not safe.”

Intriguingly querying, he asked “Why are they after only me? There were 70 names but people who are still in my country have not been arrested.”

Morr’s private life seemed as puzzling as his public one, where he lives in a flat filled with gym equipment. His neighbours were oblivious to his true identity, with one thinking he was just a night worker.

The towering enforcer, who measures 6ft 4in tall, was also seen chasing down our photographer in the street.

Alba MSP and ex-justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill aired his views on the case, stating: “The case highlights just how ridiculous the UK Government’s approach to asylum and immigration is, that the Home Office is obsessing over small boats and sending people to Rwanda, and meanwhile we are doing nothing about this man.”

“It is unbelievable that he has been arrested in Scotland, then the Crown Office have just let him walk free, from what I can see. By all accounts he should be in the International Criminal Court in The Hague.”

A representative for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service mentioned that it would be “inappropriate” to divulge any comments “at this time”.

Former president Yahya Jammeh sat at the helm of Gambia for 22 tumultuous years. He led one of the world’s poorest nations with a brutal iron fist.

He infringed upon people’s rights, suppressed free speech and freedom of the press, even threatening decapitation for gay or lesbian individuals found in his country.

Further accusations levied against his regime include numerous human rights violations such as shooting 2000 students post-demonstration, killing 50 migrants, torturing 1000 people accused of witchcraft, and causing the disappearance of dozens of rivals and critics.

In 2016, the hardline Jammeh lost power after an election tinged with manipulation on his part, he didn’t take defeat lightly. Fortunately, a democratic party leader took his place as the nation’s president.

Jammeh, along with several other government officials, fled the country and is believed to be in Equatorial Guinea.

Earlier this month, a Swiss court handed down a 20-year prison sentence to former Gambian minister Ousman Sonko for crimes against humanity.

The 55 year old ex-interior minister was found guilty of intentional homicide, torture, and false imprisonment.

Switzerland prosecuted the case under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which permits countries to prosecute individuals for crimes committed elsewhere.

Sonko is the highest-ranking government official ever to be prosecuted under this principle in Europe.