SENEGAL police clashed with protesters near the home of opposition leader Osumane Sonko in the capital Dakar on Monday ahead of a court verdict against the politician.

Mr Sonko is being tried for rape and death threats against a woman working at a massage parlour and could face up to 10 years in prison.

If convicted, he would also be barred from running in next year’s presidential elections.

Mr Sonko has denied the allegations and claims the case is a legal attack as part of an effort by President Macky Sall’s government to derail his candidacy.

He did not attend the trial last week in protest against what he said was injustice, adding that he will no longer respond to court summons. He was judged in absentia.

The opposition leader recently received a six-month suspended prison sentence in a defamation case against Minister of Tourism Mame Mbaye Niang.

His supporters have been taking part in demonstrations after police stopped Mr Sonko’s “freedom caravan” travelling from his hometown of Ziguinchor in the south-west, where he is mayor, to the capital last week.

He was forced back into his home in Dakar as the unauthorised caravan was against the law and was attempting to incite the public, according to Interior Minister Antonie Feliz Diome.

Protesters were denied access to his house and threw stones at police blockading the roads.

At least eight vehicles were burnt during clashes throughout the city and police fired tear gas at the crowds.

Last week, one person was killed and others injured when clashes erupted between police and Mr Sonko’s supporters in the city of Kolda in the south.

Senegal’s government said it will stand firm against any attempt to disrupt public order.