Guinea's ex-military ruler jailed over stadium massacre
Moussa Dadis Camara is sentenced to 20 years for crimes against humanity over the killings in 2009.
A court in Guinea has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to former military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara for crimes against humanity. The charges relate to one of the deadliest massacres in the country's history, where over 156 people lost their lives. The incident occurred when troops opened fire at a rally demanding a return to civilian rule in September 2009.
Moussa Dadis Camara seized power in a coup following the death of long-serving President Lansana Conté in 2008. However, he fled the country after surviving an assassination attempt shortly after the massacre. Camara returned from exile in Burkina Faso in September 2022 to stand trial, maintaining his innocence.
The court found Camara guilty, along with seven of his military commanders, while four others were acquitted. The massacre unfolded as tens of thousands of people gathered in a stadium in the capital, Conakry, to urge Camara not to run in the presidential election.
During the rally, security forces fired tear gas and charged into the stadium, resulting in a stampede that left many dead and injured. Numerous women were also subjected to rape. Camara was charged with murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping, but these charges were later reclassified as crimes against humanity.
Camara's lawyer has labeled the ruling as politically motivated and plans to appeal. Guinea experienced a decade of civilian rule following the 2010 election, which brought Alpha Condé to power as president. However, Condé was ousted in a coup nearly three years ago amid protests over his controversial third term.
Moussa Dadis Camara seized power in a coup following the death of long-serving President Lansana Conté in 2008. However, he fled the country after surviving an assassination attempt shortly after the massacre. Camara returned from exile in Burkina Faso in September 2022 to stand trial, maintaining his innocence.
The court found Camara guilty, along with seven of his military commanders, while four others were acquitted. The massacre unfolded as tens of thousands of people gathered in a stadium in the capital, Conakry, to urge Camara not to run in the presidential election.
During the rally, security forces fired tear gas and charged into the stadium, resulting in a stampede that left many dead and injured. Numerous women were also subjected to rape. Camara was charged with murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping, but these charges were later reclassified as crimes against humanity.
Camara's lawyer has labeled the ruling as politically motivated and plans to appeal. Guinea experienced a decade of civilian rule following the 2010 election, which brought Alpha Condé to power as president. However, Condé was ousted in a coup nearly three years ago amid protests over his controversial third term.