Opposition supporters flee Conakryâ„¢s main stadium on September 28, 2009 after security forces opened fire.
Guinean judges have charged a government minister in connection with a brutal massacre at a stadium in Conakry in 2009 that left over 150 people dead.
Lieutenant Colonel Claude Pivi, who is Guineaâ„¢s minister for presidential security, was charged with several counts of murder, rape, and destruction of property on Thursday, a judicial source said on Saturday.
On September 28, 2009, tens of thousands of people gathered at the main stadium in the national capital to protest against the military rule of the junta led by Moussa Dadis Camara.
The security forces then opened fire, killing at least 157 people. During the incident, women were raped and hundreds of people were injured, and dozens are still missing.
Pivi was not at the stadium on the day of the massacre but the judges have accused him of masterminding the deadly crackdown, which continued for several days.
Pivi has denied the charges.
He is the seventh military figure to appear in court over the 2009 massacre.
Local and international human rights groups have welcomed the trial plan and urged the government to speed up the process.
“Our concern is that this must not just be a situation whereby people are indicted and then are left to go about their business as normal. We want to see some further advancement on this issue,” said Asmaou Diallo, who is the head of a victims’ support group.
Claude Pivi was one of the leading figures who helped Camara seize power in Guinea in 2008 and was a member of the junta.
After nearly a year in power, Camara went into exile following an assassination attempt.
Current Guinean President Alpha Conde took office on December 21, 2010 after winning an election in November 2010.
MT/JR/HGL
Republished with permission from:: Press TV