The daring jailbreak orchestrated by armed commandos that led to the temporary liberation of former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara has resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives.
This was revealed today by Prosecutor General Yamoussa Conte.
According to reports, the deceased included three suspected attackers, four members of the security forces, and two individuals who were tragically caught in the crossfire while in an ambulance.
The audacious operation unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, when the prison in Conakry, the nation’s capital, was stormed by the heavily armed group.
Camara, along with three other officials who were on trial for a horrific massacre during his rule in 2009, were spirited away amidst the chaos. The army has since described the incident as an attempt to “sabotage” governmental reforms, although it remains a mystery whether Camara was a willing participant in the escape.
By the time dusk fell on Saturday, the army and Camara’s legal counsel announced that the ex-dictator had been recaptured and was once again confined behind bars. Two of his fellow escapees were also returned to custody, while the third, Claude Pivi, continues to evade capture.
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Camara has been held in custody since his trial commenced in September 2022. He, along with approximately 10 other former military and government officials, are facing charges for a gruesome massacre carried out by security forces loyal to the then-junta leader in 2009. The horrific event, which resulted in the deaths of 156 people and the rape of at least 109 women, began at a political rally in a Conakry stadium on September 28, 2009, and continued for several days, according to a UN-mandated inquiry.
The charges leveled against Camara and his co-defendants are grave, including murder, sexual violence, torture, abduction, and kidnapping. If found guilty, they face a life sentence. This trial represents a significant shift in a country that has long been ruled by authoritarian regimes, where the security forces have historically operated with impunity.