Soon the end of the pleadings of the civil parties in the September 28 trial in Guinea. Between last week and this Monday, May 20, 14 lawyers took the stand out of around fifteen in total. Extraordinary pleadings like this trial for mass crimes which has lasted since September 2022. We will remember from today’s hearing the anger of Moussa Dadis Camara.
2 mins
With our correspondents in Conakry, Matthias Raynal And Moktar Bah
Moussa Dadis Camara is not supposed to intervene during the pleadings of the lawyers of the civil parties. However, at midday, during this 136th hearing of the trial of the massacre of opponents in a stadium in Conakry on September 28, 2009, the former president exploded. Master Kabinet Kourala Keïta is forced to interrupt his demonstration.
The latter was discussing the escape, in November 2023, of the former head of state. An attempt to escape the justice of his country, a flight which proves, according to the council, the guilt of Moussa Dadis Camara in the stadium massacre. According to the lawyer, the prosecutor must “ request the most aggravating circumstances against Captain Dadis for attempting to escape, thus wanting to escape the justice of his country “.
We then see Dadis making signs to the president of the court Ibrahima Sory II Tounkara. He seems to ask to speak and then, without waiting for a response from the magistrate, he stands up. Outraged, he exclaims: “ You have hatred! What you are saying is insane! “. The president of the court tries to calm him down. “ Mr. Camara, when you cross the line, the court will be forced to intervene. What does that mean, calm down “.
If Dadis had already cut an avocado last week, this time his anger is uncontrollable. He ends up sitting back down anyway, his face wracked with spasms. The lawyer can sue. He in turn evokes the responsibility of the ex-president, asks for reclassification of the facts as crimes against humanity. Nothing new, after more than a week of pleadings, the latest advice to appear before the court is no longer very inspired.
After the lawyers of the civil parties, it will be up to the public prosecutor to take the floor in his submissions. Finally, the defense will be able to speak. The verdict is expected before August in this historic trial followed by the entire Guinea.
Read alsoGuinea: start of pleadings in the September 28 trial