Guinean court acquits police colonel over 2009 stadium massacre

A Guinean court acquitted police colonel Bienvenu Lamah on Monday over charges linked to a 2009 crackdown on an opposition rally in which at least 156 people were killed, according to a United Nations-mandated commission.

The court in Conakry ordered Lamah’s immediate release. He had been in custody in Guinea since November 2022.

Lamah, a military police officer, was acquitted of charges including complicity in abuse of authority, murder, abduction and unlawful detention. The prosecution had sought a 10-year prison sentence, including five years without parole.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs said they would appeal.

The September 28, 2009 crackdown happened at a stadium in the suburbs of Conakry. An international commission of enquiry mandated by the United Nations found that at least 156 people were killed by gunfire, knives, machetes and bayonets. It said hundreds more were wounded, detainees were tortured, at least 109 women were raped and abuses continued for several days against women held captive.

Non-governmental organisations say the true number of victims is higher.

In 2024, after a landmark trial over the massacre, Guinea’s former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was pardoned in March 2025 by current junta leader Mamady Doumbouya.

Seven other people have been sentenced to terms of up to life imprisonment for their roles. Lamah went on trial in December alongside six people accused of complicity in the killings. Three of them, all military personnel, are still on the run.