Guinea massacre trial 2009: Moussa Dadis Camara sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity

2024-07-31 21:49:18

Moussa Dadis Camara, who led Guinea for 12 months between 2008 and 2009, was found guilty of “crimes against humanity” on July 31, 2024 in Dixinn as part of the trial for the massacre that took place in 2009 in the capital of Guinea. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. On September 28, 2009, at least 156 people were killed and hundreds more injured when an opposition rally was suppressed in and around a stadium in Conakry. At least 109 women were also killed. More information to follow.

This is a historic day for the Guinea where, for the first time, the justice tried a former president: Moussa Dadis Camara, who led the country for 12 months, between 2008 and 2009. At the end of 22 months of hearings, the Dixinn criminal court decided to sentence the former head of state for 20 years in prison for the massacre of 156 demonstrators on September 28, 2009, just like Moussa Tiegboro Camara, the former head of the anti-drug services. It is a verdict that is ultimately more lenient than the prosecution’s demands for life imprisonment.

The heaviest sentence was handed down against Claude Pivi, the President’s Security Minister in 2009, which has been in effect since November 4. He received life imprisonment with a security period of 25 years. An arrest warrant was issued against him.

Among the heavy sentences, there is also Marcel Guilavogui who was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The former principal of the president was seen at the stadium beating the political leaders and he threatened to explode with his grenades in the clinic where the political leaders were admitted after the massacre. Also, Blaise Goumou, a gendarme under the orders of Tiegboro, received 15 years in prison. Mamadou Aliou Keita received 11 years imprisonment and Paul Mansa Guilavogui 10 years.

This is the sentence that was also decided against Aboubacar Diakité, known as “Toumba” for crimes against humanity. The judges were softer because he was the one who agreed during the trial to tell “his side of the truth”, and who exposed the first cracks within the defense. On the other hand, four soldiers and gendarmes were acquitted: Cécé Raphaël Haba, Ibrahima Camara, known as “Kalonzo”, Alpha Amadou Baldé and Abdoulaye Chérif Diaby. The various parties have 15 days to appeal.

The facts were reclassified as crimes against humanity, characterized by a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population and the president considered that the stadium massacre met these criteria. This reclassification changes the situation regarding the evidence because the court allowed the court to support the charge thanks to the principle of primary responsibility, taking into account the facts of 28 September 2009 as crimes against humanity . It is declared that the supreme hierarchical commander is responsible for crimes committed by the men under his authority. It is for this reason that Dadis Camara was sentenced.

A historical trial

The hearing was held on July 31, 2024 in a court in Conakry, where the police were heavily deployed. It happened in the presence of ten of the eleven accused, including Moussa Dadis Camara. alone, Claude Pivywas missing.

The difference was striking next Wednesday with the first hearing, almost two years ago, on September 28, 2022: the room was crowded there, we saw the colorful boubous of the victims everywhere. This time, many decided, with death in their souls, to stay at home and watch the last act of this extraordinary trial on television. As the verdict approached, fear gripped those who had testified, for months, against the accused, all soldiers and former high-ranking state officials.

Although some victims welcomed the court’s decision at the end of the hearing, some are angry. This is the case of this man, who was injured at the stadium on September 28, 2009, who believes that the sentences are too light.

Testimony of a survivor who survived on September 28, 2009:

They did a lot of harm. We have suffered too much in Guinea. There is no justice for the people of Guinea.

On September 28, 2009, at least 156 people were killed by gunshot, knife, machete or bayonet, and hundreds were injured in the suppression of an opposition rally in and around a stadium in Conakry, according to a report by an international commission of inquiry. mandated by the UN. At least 109 women were also killed.

This extraordinary trial, open on September 28, 2022was widely followed in Guinea and elsewhere on the continent. It was broadcast daily on Guinea television and YouTube. Alfa Amadou DS Bah, victim lawyer:

This is a historic trial. We are completely satisfied with the decision of the court, because in living memory in our country, no mass crime has been brought before the court.

RFI