Global Upfront Newspapers
AfricaCoverJusticeLifeNewsPolitics

Guinea Court Finds Former Junta Leader Moussa Dadis Camara Guilty in 2009 Stadium Massacre

A court in Guinea on Wednesday found former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara and seven other accused military commanders guilty of crimes against humanity in a 2009 stadium massacre.

Their charges, which included murder, rape, torture and kidnapping, were reclassified to crimes against humanity, the court said.

Four others accused were found not guilty.

Camara, 60, was the ruler of Guinea when more than 150 people were killed during a pro-democracy rally on Sept. 28, 2009.

The former leader, who escaped from prison in November last year during an armed jailbreak but was later recaptured, sat impassively in court dressed in a black and gold traditional bubu robe as the verdict was read. Camara, who had denied the charges and pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Another high-level official, Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, sometimes known as “Toumba”, received a sentence of 10 years in prison due to his cooperation with the court.

Colonel Moussa Tiegboro Camara, secretary of state in charge of fighting organised crime, was sentenced to 20 years.

In the 2009 incident, tens of thousands of people had gathered at a stadium in Conakry to press Camara not to stand in a presidential election the following year. Many were shot, stabbed, beaten or crushed in a stampede as security forces fired teargas and charged the stadium.

At least a dozen women were raped by security forces, prosecutors said during the trial.

“This is a widespread and systematic attack by armed men against a civilian population,” the judge said while reading the verdict.

He added that families of those who were killed will get 2 billion Guinean francs ($233,890) for each victim while rape and torture victims will receive 1 billion each.

@Reuters

Advertize With Us

See Also

Businessman nabbed in Kano over alleged sexual abuse of under-aged girls

Global Upfront

78-year-old Farmer Takes Own Life Over Fears Of New Inheritance Tax Raid, 24 Hours Before Chancellor’s Budget Announcement, Says Son

Global Upfront

Nigeria signs military-technical cooperation wit Russian Federation

Global Upfront

U.S. Elections: A tale Of The Two Presidential Candidates

Global Upfront

Kyari appears before panel, mounts defence against FBI, Hushpuppi’s allegations, deletes Facebook post on relationship with Hushpuppi

Global Upfront

Its “A Failure Of Security,” Tearful Ondo State Says At Funeral Nigerian Catholic Church Massacre Victims

Global Upfront

This website uses Cookies to improve User experience. We assume this is OK...If not, please opt-out! Accept Read More