September 28 massacres in Guinea: the trial focuses on a reclassification of the facts as crimes against humanity
In Guinea, the court where the trial of the massacres of September 28, 2009 is taking place is considering from March 18, 2024 the reclassification of the facts as crimes against humanity, at the request of the prosecution.
This Monday morning, March 18, the defense had the floor.
[Illustrative image] Files visible inside the Conakry courthouse on September 28, 2022 during the opening of the trial of the September 28, 2009 massacres. AFP - CELLOU BINANI
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With our correspondent in Conakry,
Matthias Raynal
In
Guinea
, after a two-week break, the trial of the massacres of September 28, 2009 resumed on March 18, 2024. The court must rule on the reclassification of the facts as crimes against humanity requested by the prosecution.
It was the defendants' lawyers who requested a two-week postponement of the hearing.
To be able to prepare their observations on the prosecution's requisitions, a 32-page document was distributed to the different parties on March 4.
Read alsoReport Africa - Trial of September 28 in Guinea: images of the stadium massacre projected during the hearing
This Monday morning, at the start of the hearing, the defense submitted its replies to the court and immediately requested to speak.
Maître Almamy Samory Traoré speaks first.
He recalls the history of the trial and the qualifications retained.
The command responsibility induced by crimes against humanity has been dismissed, assures the council, according to which all remedies have been exhausted.
“
The Supreme Court handed down a ruling
,” recalls the lawyer.
Pair of black sunglasses, Pépé Antoine Lamah speaks next.
Offensive, he begins: “
My talented colleague has just, through relevant, impactful arguments, deconstructed the pretentious requisitions of the public prosecutor.
» A tad provocative, he adds: “
These requisitions which took place one year and six months after the opening of the debates are proof that the public prosecutor is convinced of the innocence of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara as to his individual criminal responsibility.
»
The defense continues to make its observations this Monday.
The court could make its decision today, but also later, to give itself more time to deliberate.
The country's former leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, and ten other former military and government officials have been answering since September 2022 in court for the September 28, 2009 massacre.
That day, at least 156 people were killed, hundreds injured and at least 109 women raped, according to the report of an international commission of inquiry mandated by the UN.
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