A judge has rejected provisional release requests from media personality Pape Cheikh Diallo and singer Djiby Dramé, citing a procedural issue. The judge argues that competence to rule on bail transfers to the criminal court once an indictment is issued. Diallo and Dramé's lawyers filed their requests after the investigative phase concluded and the suspects were referred to the criminal court on August 7th. The judge deemed the requests untimely, stating lack of jurisdiction. Lawyers representing Diallo, Dramé, and fellow defendant Doudou Lamine Dieng have appealed the decision. The appeals chamber will now decide on the validity of this procedural challenge. Around sixty individuals, including Diallo, Dramé, and others, await trial before the criminal court.