Guinean journalist assaulted by presidential guards

Malick Diallo, a Guinean journalist was assaulted by members of the presidential guard while covering President Alpha Condé‘s meeting at the ruling party RPG Rainbow’s offices.

According to reports, one of the guards saw Diallo take a photo in the courtyard when Conde left. The officer asked the journalist to delete the photo before confiscating his camera.

Diallo said he was taken to the presidential security base were he was repeatedly beaten up and left unconscious, due to chest blows he suffered.

‘‘They said they stopped me because I spoke to one of them in the native Poular language. I said no, I did not speak in Poular, moreover even if I did, is it forbidden to speak Poular at the headquarters of the RPG? ‘’

Advocacy group, Reporters Without Borders (RWB), expressed outrage over the repeated violence against journalists in Guinea and what they consider repeated violations of the Constitution.

“Such arbitrary acts of violence against journalists are completely unacceptable, especially when they are often accompanied by impunity. We ask that the elements of the presidential guard responsible for the attack be identified and punished,” said RWB in a statement.

Diallo said he was considering taking legal steps against the guards in the coming days.

AFP