Guinea: September 28 massacre trial postponed after prison guards' strike

In Guinea, the trial of the September 28 massacre is decidedly difficult to resume. After three weeks of interruption due to the lawyers' walkout, we will still have to wait. It is now the prison guards who have gone on strike to denounce their working conditions.

The opening of the September 28 trial in Conakry, September 28, 2022. © CELLOU BINANI/AFP

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With our correspondent in Conakry, Matthias Raynal

As a result of this strike, the accused could not be removed from the central house on Wednesday morning, June 21. This protest movement of prison staff provokes a new halt in the trial of the stadium massacre which has just been interrupted for three weeks.

On 29 May, the lawyers constituted in this case, whether they are defence members or representatives of the civil parties, went on strike to demand an improvement in their working conditions on the site of the Court of Appeal. They were also asking for financial assistance. Their demands were eventually heard by the Justice Department, and the trial was supposed to resume today. On the side of the lawyers, this false start inevitably causes a little disappointment, this is what confided just now one of the counsel of the civil parties. It is impossible to know for the moment if this strike of prison guards will last.

They demand several things: the application of their special status that was signed under the former president, Alpha Condé, the integration into the civil service of those who have followed the training, but have never been hired, some have been waiting for ten years. According to the Ministry of Justice, which I was able to contact, these demands have already been met, or are in the process of being met.

Within this department, we say they are "surprised" even by this protest movement. It should be noted that this walkout comes after the entry into force of very strict internal regulations for prison guards, which aims in particular to fight corruption.

► Read also:

  • Massacre of 28-September 2009 in Guinea: the testimony of an emblematic victim
  • September 28 massacre in Guinea: a long road to justice

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