Arrested on Tuesday 5 July and charged with contempt of court and public insults, the three members of the FNDC coalition were released last Friday 8 July. This is after the judge has pronounced the verdict that they are innocent.
They were violently arrested on Tuesday by the police at the headquarters of their coalition, the FNDC, while holding a press conference. They are Oumar Sylla alias Foniké Menguet, Alpha Midjaou Bah alias Djani Alfa and Mamadou Billo Bah. The brutality of their arrest led to three days of demonstrations between the population and the police. The political class also condemned their violent arrest and was especially indignant about the method.
Their trial last Friday ended with their release as the president of the court, Ousmane Simakan, acquitted them by declaring: “Oumar Sylla alias Foniké Menguet, Alpha Midjaou Bah alias Djani Alfa and Mamadou Billo Bah not guilty of public insults, contempt of court, disturbance of public order and public security”
As soon as he was released, Oumar Sylla alias Foniké Menguet called on the youth to mobilise. “This is the victory of democracy. So the fight continues for Guinean democracy. The file was empty, it is really an abuse of power, a total injustice that has been repaired. So, once again I ask the Guinean youth to remain mobilized for the continuation of the fight.
It should be noted that this is the first time that clashes have broken out in Guinea since the accession to power of Colonel Doumbouya. These scenes are reminiscent of the governance of former President Alpha Condé.
