Guinea's decision has pardoned former military leader Musa Dadis Kamara, less than a year in a 20-year sentence for crimes against humanity related to one of the worst massacres in the country.
A decree reading on state television said the pardon was provided for health reasons.
In 2009, the troops under his command opened fire during a rally calling for a return to civil government, killing more than 150 people. Dozens of women were also raped.
The chamber seized power when longtime President Lanzana Conte died in 2008. He escaped after an attempt to kill shortly, but returned in 2022 to face justice, insisting that he was innocent.
The 61 -year -old chamber was almost an unknown captain of the army when he led the coup. He was convicted with seven of his military commanders in July 2024 after a 22-month trial.
His pardon comes as a result of a message earlier during the week that the current military government intends to pay compensation to the victims of the slaughter – which the House and the other convicts were ordered by the court to cover.
According to Info Justice, a website that takes into account international justice, the estimated breakdown of the payments is:
- $ 173,000 (134,000 British pounds) – for the victim of rape
- $ 115,500 – for death or disappearance
- $ 57,000 – for a robbery case
- $ 23,000 – for a torture case.
The slaughter took place in September 2009, when tens of thousands gathered at a stadium in the capital Konakri to press the chamber not to stand in the presidential election.
Many were shot dead, stabbed, beaten or crushed in stamping while the security forces fired tears and were loaded at the stadium. At least 109 girls and women were raped.
It is unclear what health problems are facing a chamber. His younger brother Jean Dadis Chamber told AFP: “Everyone is happy. Thank you to the President.”
When the chamber escaped from Guinea after being shot in the head, he was treated for six weeks in Morocco before residing in Burkina Faso for 12 years.
His deputy continued to organize an election in 2010, which they introduced in a decade of civil government, which brought Alfa Conde to power as president.
He was overthrown in a coup in September 2021 after protests because of his controversial third term.