2023-05-03 13:13:03
Opened last January, the trial of Néro Lancinet Camara, accused of “rape and harassment” of five girls at the Hakuna Matata orphanage, in Dabompa (commune of Matoto), continued on May 2, at the Mafanco court. The hearing of the day was devoted to the hearing behind closed doors of the minor victims.
The hearing of the five girls whose age varies between 14 and 15 years was held in a council chamber, between the parties to the trial. As soon as it returned to the courtroom, the trial was postponed until May 16 by the president of the court, Mrs. Kallo Bamba, for the continuation of the proceedings.
Me Kékoura Fanta Mara, one of the defense lawyers, welcomed the declaration of the young girls who, according to him, pleaded in favor of his client, Néro Lancinet Camara: “At the last hearing, the alleged rapes had to go to the council chamber to be heard. A way to protect their privacy. This was done today. They have all been heard. As you know, it’s behind closed doors: “we shouldn’t go into depth about what was said. But what we can tell you is that we are really reassured by what happened there. When we know all that has been said in relation to this situation, Nero was accused of having raped these girls and others. In the council chamber, it was something else. The children told the truth about what they saw, what was prepared. So, we leave very reassured and we are confident that after all that has happened, our client will be acquitted purely and simply because they confessed to not having been raped by Nero”.
For his part, Me Modibo Camara also welcomed the explanations given by the minors. For the lawyer of the Hakuna Matata foundation, “this day is a day of horror”. He says he is confident for the rest of the procedure. “The children were heard by the criminal court, questions asked. I can say that today is a day of horror. I say this as a lawyer, but also a father. The revelation made by the girls, their description of the events that occurred, the maneuvers of the accused… I couldn’t help myself. I think that the court is built on the facts alleged against Mr. Néro Lancinet Camara. Especially the approach he used and which was described in a concordant and precise manner. The explanations given by each of the children give a precise idea of Mr. Camara’s personality. We remain confident. We have the certainty, in view of what has been heard today, that the law will be said”.
At the next hearing on May 16, Philippe Bangoura, former collaborator of the founder of the orphanage and Namandjan Traoré, medical examiner who would have confirmed the rape through a report drawn up and transmitted to justice, will have to appear. “Regarding the appearance of Mr. Philippe, we are trying to find a way out, to claim that the facts of which Néro is accused are maneuvers by this gentleman who is called to appear at the next hearing. However, that is not the case. The words of the children prove it. The doctor will also appear to bring his share of truth to the facts he observed after the consultations carried out on the children, ”explains Me Modibo.
Kadiatou Diallo
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