Damana Adia Pickass , a senior official of the African People's Party-Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) and general coordinator of the "Common Front," narrowly escaped an attack at the Bouaké prison camp, where he has been incarcerated since November 4th. His lawyer, Roselyne Aka-Sérikpa , revealed the incident on November 26, 2025, and immediately demanded that prison authorities guarantee her client's physical safety.

The incident involving an "unstable" inmate

According to Mr. Aka-Sérikpa, the incident occurred following a "loss of control" by another inmate, described as "quite unstable." Fortunately, the other prisoners present quickly intervened to restrain the aggressor, thus preventing serious consequences for Mr. Pickass.

“There was more fear than harm,” said Ms. Aka-Sérikpa. She added that the staff at the prison camp confirmed the dangerousness and instability of the assailant.

An urgent call for security

The lawyer strongly urged the camp staff and management to ensure that her client's security was meticulously reinforced. She forcefully reiterated Damana Pickass's status, not for common crimes, but in connection with his political activities.

" He is not being held as a criminal, but as a presumed innocent person , accused of offenses related to his political activities," insisted Mr. Aka-Sérikpa.

She also raised concerns that Mr. Pickass was being held in a penal camp housing "criminals and hardened criminals," stressing the importance of not conflating these detainees with someone imprisoned for expressing their opinions.

Context of detention

A long-time figure and loyal supporter of former president Laurent Gbagbo, Damana Pickass was arrested in Bingerville by the national police after calling for a "popular uprising" before the presidential election of October 25. Prosecutor Oumar Braman Koné stated at the time that these calls had incited violent gatherings and endangered national security.

Furthermore, the lawyer recalled that Mr. Pickass, a figure in the hardline wing of the PPA-CI, had already been sentenced earlier this year to ten years in prison for "undermining state security" for events in 2021. However, he had not been imprisoned at the time due to the lack of a warrant for his arrest.

"We hope that the authorities will ensure that no further attacks disturb his pre-trial detention," concluded Mr. Aka-Sérikpa, reiterating his call for maximum protection for his client.