A Guinean court has sentenced ex-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity related to a 2009 massacre in a Conakry stadium, where more than 150 people were killed and many women were raped.
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This historic trial, which lasted nearly two years, concluded with seven other defendants receiving sentences of up to life imprisonment.
The verdict has been welcomed by rights activists and victims’ families who have waited nearly 15 years for justice.
On September 28, 2009, and in the days following, members of Camara’s presidential guard, soldiers, police, and militia violently suppressed an opposition rally, resulting in at least 156 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and 109 rapes, as reported by a UN commission of inquiry.
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The court’s decision to classify the charges as crimes against humanity marks a significant move against impunity in Guinea.
The court also mandated compensation for victims, ranging from 200 million to 1.5 billion Guinean francs ($23,000 to $174,000).
During the trial, which began on September 28, 2022, the anniversary of the massacre, the court heard from defendants and around 100 victims who provided harrowing testimonies.
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Despite the defense’s claims of being denied a fair trial due to the last-minute reclassification of charges, the court proceeded with its verdict. Both parties have 15 days to appeal the decision.
The trial has occurred amid ongoing repression of opposition and media in Guinea, with recent protests against the disappearance of pro-democracy activists Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah leading to clashes with police.
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International organizations have emphasized the trial’s significance in challenging the longstanding impunity of Guinea’s security forces.
