Guinea gang rape suspect jailed for 15 years

A Guinean court has sentenced Moussa Conde, the main suspect in the gang rape case of two teenage girls, to 15 years in prison, judicial sources said Friday.

The assaults took place in April in Mandiana, in eastern Guinea, and were filmed and shared on social media. Four suspects were arrested, and a fifth remains at large.

A judicial source said the court in Mandiana found Conde guilty of rape and recording child pornography. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 700 million Guinean francs, or about $80,000.

Prosecutors had sought a 20-year prison sentence. Conde admitted taking part in the sexual assaults but denied filming or distributing the video. His lawyers said they would appeal.

The ruling is the first in a case that still involves at least three other suspects awaiting trial. Prosecutors continued the case on behalf of both girls even though one of the victims later withdrew her complaint.

The case prompted widespread calls for justice in Guinea after the footage resurfaced in recent weeks, with rights groups, journalists, artists, religious leaders and politicians demanding accountability.