Guinea Stadium Massacre As Fugitive Extradited From Liberia

Guinea’s most wanted fugitive, a former senior military officer who escaped from prison last November, has been extradited from neighboring Liberia along with his son, officials said.

Former Colonel Claude Pivi will now serve a life sentence after being convicted in absentia for his role in the 2009 massacre of opposition supporters at a stadium in the capital Conakry, Guinea’s military prosecutor said.

He and his son, Verny Pivi, were arrested on Tuesday at the border of the two states during a routine security checkpoint.

Photos circulating online show Pivi looking weak and handcuffed next to his son, who is accused of orchestrating the escape that freed his father.

Former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara was also released, but was quickly recaptured.

He is serving a 20-year prison sentence for crimes against humanity.

The charges stem from one of the worst massacres in the country’s history: the deaths of more than 156 people after troops opened fire on an opposition rally in September 2009 demanding the return of civilian rule.

Dozens of women were also raped.

Pivi, known as “Coplan”, was minister of presidential security during the Camara regime.

Authorities had offered a $58,000 (£43,700) reward for his arrest.

Pivi is back in Conakry’s main prison to serve his life sentence, military prosecutor Colonel Aly Camara said Thursday.

“He was returned to the central prison to serve his sentence, in accordance with the law,” Colonel Camara added.

Fatoumata Diariou Camara, one of those involved in the violence at the demonstration, told AFP news agency she was “overjoyed” that he had been recaptured.

“I pray he stays in prison forever,” she said.