In Guinea, the leaders of the FNDC, the front created in 2019 to oppose Alpha Condé’s third term project, arrested in August 2022 by the new Guinean authorities before being released last month, were yesterday morning (Thursday ) in the face of Guinean justice. They were answerable for several counts, including criminal participation in a crowd, violence, and destruction of property belonging to others.
Very relaxed at the helm, Ibrahima Diallo and Oumar Sylla “alias” Foniké Mengué, rejected all the charges as a whole.
The lawyer Christophe Labilé Koné, representing the civil parties, expected the denial of facts. “It is their right to deny the facts,” he said, “but their denial does not bind the court. We will show the court that the State has caused destruction and damage.”
The two FNDC leaders denounced a political trial because, according to them, demonstrating is a constitutional right.
Labilé Koné disputes that they were only there for their opinion and not to demonstrate. However, violence broke out during the demonstration, resulting in loss of life and injuries.
Their lawyer argued that nine months in detention without trial was sufficient for Ibrahima Diallo and Oumar Sylla to be released in May, regardless of a potential conviction for criminal participation in a crowd and destruction of public and private property.