News
Guinea: 10 pardoned political prisoners released; group accused of helping president’s rival
CONAKRY, Guinea — Ten political prisoners have left a prison in Guinea’s capital a day after the president pardoned them and less than a month after a separate coup attempt.
An AP reporter saw the group, which included several key military officia…
Ten political prisoners have left a prison in Guinea’s capital a day after the president pardoned them and less than a month after a separate coup attempt.
An Associated Press reporter saw the group, which included several key military officials, leave the prison in Conakry on Tuesday. They were among 37 people pardoned by President Alpha Conde (pictured), on Monday in a statement seen in newspapers and national television. The other 27 were not in prison
Those pardoned were supporters of Cellou Dalein Diallo, who was defeated by Conde in last year’s presidential election.
Last year’s poll was marred by ethnic violence between supporters of Diallo and Conde.
Last month, gunmen pounded Conde’s home with rockets. At least 37 soldiers were arrested; many have ties to Guinea’s past two military rulers.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
