Jesse Jackson appeals directly to Gambia 's president for the release . President Yahya Jammeh in addition agrees to halt death row executions . Comment: The Americans were not on death row and had not received death sentences .
Jesse Jackson appeals directly to Gambia 's president for the release . President Yahya Jammeh in addition agrees to halt death row executions . Rights groups say death sentences are handed down to repress political opposition . The Americans were not on death row and had not received death sentences .