Dakar court hears case of 10-year-old talibé allegedly beaten to death by Quranic teacher

Habiboulaye Diallo, a Quranic teacher, appeared before the Criminal Chamber of Dakar on July 20, 2026, accused of voluntary assault and battery leading to the death of a minor under 15, M. Diallo, a 10-year-old talibé. The incident, which occurred in 2023 at a daara in Jaxaay, reportedly stemmed from the boy's repeated attempts to leave the institution, as he preferred French schooling over Quranic studies. According to the prosecution, Habiboulaye Diallo allegedly tied the boy's hands and feet in a storage room and beat him, resulting in his death. During the initial investigation, Diallo admitted to tying and beating the child. However, in court, he recanted his statements, claiming he was asleep when the boy died and learned of it from the daara's caretaker. He denied tying the child or being present at the time of death. The boy's parents were absent from the trial. The prosecutor requested a 10-year prison sentence for Habiboulaye Diallo, arguing that the violence caused the child's death. Diallo's lawyer, Me Ndiogou Ndiaye, pleaded for leniency and requested the removal of his client's electronic bracelet, which was denied. The court will deliver its verdict on August 11, 2026.