Procès de la mendicité : L’activiste Karim Xurum Xax relaxé
Abdou Karim Guéye, also known as Karim Xurum Xax, was tried on January 15, 2026, before the Dakar Magistrates' Court for participating in an unauthorized demonstration. The activist was arrested on January 12 at Independence Square during a demonstration by people with disabilities.
Amidst these disabled people, activist Abdou Karim Guéye held a press conference to denounce the arrest of two beggars who were recently released by the police. Karim Xurum Xax was arrested along with 14 other beggars who were ultimately freed.
Placed in police custody, the activist refused to answer the investigating officers' questions. "I have nothing to say," he declared before refusing to sign the official report.
In the investigation, beggars were questioned. Modou Faye and Astou Sow stated that the demonstration was initiated by activist Abou Karim Guéye.
In court, Karim Xurum Xax contested the charge against him.
“I came to the central police station to offer moral support to beggars who had been arrested. But they were released when I arrived. They were at Nomade 14. Among the group were disabled women carrying babies. So I accompanied them. When we reached the Central Commerce area, the police officer asked us to take our positions. We calmly walked to the public garden at Independence Square. I advised them to organize a structured demonstration to denounce their repeated arrests,” he explained. Karim continued, “Right after that, a journalist who happened to be passing by asked me why I was there. I told him I had come to help the arrested beggars. That's when the police officers stopped me,” the activist stated.
Regarding his refusal not to resume when questioned by investigators, Karim maintains that he did not want his words to be distorted.
“I am an activist. I have my principles that I defend. For me, placing women with reduced mobility in police custody is not inhumane. I came to offer moral support to vulnerable people and provide them with food. I did not come to demonstrate,” the defendant concluded.
In his observations, the public prosecutor considers the offense of participating in an unauthorized demonstration. Citing Article 87 of the penal code, the prosecution requested a sentence of two years, with two months to be served in prison, and a fine of 200,000 FCFA.
The defense team, comprised of lawyers El Hadji Diouf, El Hadji Amadou Sall, Aboubacry Deh, Sayba Danfakha, and Aboubacary Barro, pleaded for outright acquittal. The lawyers deemed the prosecutor's indictment excessive, arguing that no offense had been committed in the case.
In delivering its judgment, the Court acquitted Abdou Karim Guéye.
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