Guinea

National prosecutions stall after investigative success

The Conakry prosecutor appointed three Guinean investigative judges to conduct a national investigation into the 28 September 2009 events. Following investigations that involved site visits and interviews with key witnesses and politicians connected to the violence, the judges issued indictments against high-level political and military personnel like former head-of-state Moussa Dadis Camara. Civil society and the UN Judicial Expert on the Rule of law and Sexual Violence in conflict have contributed to successful investigations.

Investigations have also focused on various instances of alleged serious violations by security forces, including the 2007 killing of around 130 unarmed demonstrators; the 2010 torture of members of the political opposition; the 2012 killing of six men in Zogota; and killings during protests around delayed parliamentary elections in 2013.

On 29 December 2017, seven years after its appointment, the panel of judges formally completed the national investigation into the 28 September events, with 13 individuals being sent to trial. The government of Guinea created a steering committee for the logistic organization and its inaugural meeting received broad media coverage. Among the guests was newly-appointed Prime Minister, Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, who attended the ceremony and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to organize a fair and exemplary trial. Recently, the committee decided to hold the trial in Conakry and agreed on a provisional budget funded by the government and international donors.

The Prosecution of the ICC closely monitors the developments in Guinea and acknowledges that Guinean authorities have made continued progress in their efforts to prosecute the alleged perpetrators. The Prosecutor will examine any possible obstacles and contribute to organizing a fair and meaningful trial for the victims in accordance with the principles of due process.