BBC Senegal opposition leader 'arrested' after clashes Reuters Ousmane Sonko's supporters were throwing stones at the security forces Prominent Senegalese opposition politician Ousmane Sonko has been arrested, his lawyer says. He is accused of disturbing public order in the capital, Dakar, as he travelled to court for a hearing in a rape case. His motorcade was followed by hundreds of chanting supporters, who were dispersed by police with teargas. Reuters Supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko are angry about the rape allegation Reuters Gendarmes fired teargas to disperse Ousmane Sonko's supporters On Friday, Senegal's parliament voted to strip Mr Sonko of his immunity so the rape prosecution could proceed. Mr Sonko denies he raped a woman at a salon where he went to get massages. AFP Ousmane Sonko finished third in presidential elections in 2019 The 46-year-old, who heads the opposition Pastef party, says the charges are politically motivated to stop him running in elections in 2024. Mr Sonko came third in the 2019 presidential election and has accused President Macky Sall of manoeuvring to run for an unconstitutional third term. 9:40 26 Feb Senegal MP to face rape charge after immunity lifted AFP Ousmane Sonko finished third in presidential elections in 2019 Lawmakers in Senegal have voted to lift the immunity of leading opposition MP Ousmane Sonko, who has been accused of rape - allegations he denies. Mr Sonko finished third in the 2019 presidential elections, and is considered a strong future presidential contender in the West African state, the AFP news agency reports. The 46-year-old head of the opposition Pastef party has accused President Macky Sall, who is serving his second term in office, of conspiring against him, AFP says. Correspondents say the news is likely to upset his young supporters, who protested last month when a beauty-salon employee filed rape charges against him