Guinea’s most wanted fugitive, a former senior military officer who escaped from prison last November, has been extradited from neighboring Liberia along with his son.
Ex-Colonel Claude Pivi will now serve his life sentence after being convicted in absentia for his involvement in the 2009 massacre of opposition supporters at a stadium in the capital, Conakry, according to Guinea’s military prosecutor.
Pivi and his son, Verny Pivi, were arrested during a routine security check at the border on Tuesday.
Images shared online showed Pivi appearing frail and handcuffed next to his son, who is accused of orchestrating the prison escape that freed his father.
Another former military leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, was also released but was quickly recaptured. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence for crimes against humanity.
These charges are linked to one of the deadliest events in Guinea’s history, where over 156 people were killed and numerous women were raped when troops fired on an opposition rally in September 2009, demanding a return to civilian rule.
Known as “Coplan,” Pivi was the minister of presidential security under Camara’s regime. Authorities had offered a reward of $58,000 (£43,700) for his capture.
Pivi has returned to the central prison in Conakry to serve his life sentence, as confirmed by military prosecutor Colonel Aly Camara.
“He was brought back to the central prison to serve his sentence in accordance with the law,” Colonel Camara stated.
His lawyer, Abdourahmane Dabo, informed the BBC that Pivi had returned, but he expressed concerns about his health, describing him as “weak.”
Following news of his arrest, Fatoumata Diariou Camara, a victim of the violence during the rally, expressed her relief to AFP, stating she was “overjoyed” by his recapture. “I pray that he will remain in prison forever,” she added.
