Former Guinean dictator MOUSSA DADIS CAMARA was on Saturday taken from prison by a heavily armed commando during an operation that sparked heavy gunfire in the capital Conakry.
At least two other former officials currently on trial alongside DADIS CAMARA over a 2009 massacre during his presidency were also taken from the central prison.
Justice Minister APHONESE CHARLES WRIGHT disclosed that heavily armed men broke into the prison and managed to leave with four prisoners alongside notable Captain CAMARA.
He said the borders had been closed.
It was unclear whether Dadis Camara had escaped of his own free will.
However, the army described the operation as an attempt to “sabotage government reforms and swore its unwavering commitment to the current authorities.
The masked and heavily armed soldiers who arrived at the prison declared they had come to free Captain CAMARA.
CAMARA’s lawyer JOCAMEY HABA said he believed his client had been kidnapped and his life was in danger.
The justice minister also said that Colonel MOUSSA TIEGBORO CAMARA, another of the men taken from prison had since been recaptured.
TIEGBORO CAMARA’s lawyer said he had escaped from what he described as his captors.
DADIS CAMARA has been detained since going on trial in September 2022.
He and about 10 other former military and government officials are accused over a 2009 massacre carried out by security forces loyal to the then-junta leader.