Guinea indicts ex-president for 2009 civilian deaths
A Guinean Court on Thursday in Conakry charged Moussa Camara, former President and Junta leader, with the 2009 deaths of more than 150 civilians.
Moussa Camara, who was in power from December 2008 to December 2009, has been indicted for the massacre of at least 156 unarmed civilians during an opposition rally in a football stadium in the capital, Conakry, in September 2009.
Zainab Bangura, UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, said the indictment represented an important step in Guinea’s fight against impunity for the crimes that were perpetrated against unarmed civilians.
She said a UN inquiry found that in addition to the deaths, more than 100 women and girls were raped and subjected to sexual violence, and more than 1,000 others were injured.
Bangura said after more than 400 hearings, including 200 victims and witnesses of sexual violence, the UN issued a total of 15 indictments, against high-ranking military officers.
Meanwhile, Asmaou Diallo, President of the Justice Association for Victims and Relatives (AVIPA), said the indictment was an important step.
She said they have been waiting for the moment in the last six years.
Diallo said the moment has finally come and all those indicted including high-ranking military officers would be made to face the wrath of the law. (dpa/NAN)