Senegalese actress bigué Diop embroiled in legal dispute over theft and alleged ‘unnatural acts’

In Senegal, prominent actress Bigué Diop, also known as Mame Dior, is currently facing a complex legal challenge involving two distinct sets of accusations. The 32-year-old Senegalese film star initially appeared before the gendarmerie on March 26. Her initial summons stemmed from a defamation complaint she herself had filed, following the circulation of TikTok videos that leveled accusations of theft against her. However, the situation dramatically shifted during her questioning, leading to her own apprehension and subsequent implication in a separate theft case.

The ongoing investigation took a further turn when authorities confiscated and thoroughly examined her mobile phone. This digital forensic review reportedly unveiled evidence that led to the introduction of a second, highly sensitive charge. These alleged findings are described as ‘unnatural acts,’ a legal term used in Senegal to refer to presumed homosexual relations.

On April 2, a judge formally indicted Bigué Diop on both counts. Regarding the charges related to theft, which also encompass allegations of criminal association and money laundering, the actress has been placed under judicial supervision. For the second serious accusation, pertaining to ‘unnatural acts,’ she is now subject to electronic monitoring, requiring her to wear an ankle bracelet.

However, Bigué Diop’s legal representative, Ouseynou Ngom, is vigorously challenging these accusations. Ngom has publicly condemned the methods employed during the search of his client’s phone, asserting that these actions constitute a direct breach of Senegal’s current cybersecurity legislation. The defense team has declared its firm intention to seek the annulment of the entire procedure before the indictment chamber.

This high-profile case involving Bigué Diop unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing controversy surrounding Senegal’s anti-homosexuality laws. The legislative landscape became even more stringent following amendments passed by deputies in the National Assembly. Beyond the specifics of the Mame Dior case, a series of recent arrests and detentions linked to similar allegations continues to fuel significant and escalating alarm among human rights defenders across the nation.