Guinean opposition lawyers denounce 'biased' investigation into journalist's killing

Lawyers of Guinea’s main opposition party, the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), have denounced what they describe as a “biased investigation” into the killing of a journalist on February 5.

The journalist was shot during clashes between supporters of Amadou Oury Bah, an excluded Vice President of UFDG and security guards at the party’s headquarters.

El Hadj Mohamed Diallo who sustained a bullet wound in his chest died in a hospital.

Seventeen people belonging to the UFDG were arrested for their alleged role in his death.

The party made a formal complaint against the lead investigator, saying the arrests were “more political than legal.”

“We are worried about the procedures being followed because we see the inquiries are focused on one camp, even though there should be an investigation into both sides,” said Salifou Beavogui, a lawyer for the UFDG party.

Hundreds of Guinean journalists on Monday took to the streets of Conakry in protest against Diallo’s killing demanding that justice be served.

The journalists said they wanted to draw attention to the risks associated with working in the west African country.