Guinea’s ex-army chief and several soldiers have been freed after a sweep of arrests
By APTuesday, June 15, 2010
Guinea ex-army chief freed after arrest
CONAKRY, Guinea — A security official says Guinea’s ex-army chief and several soldiers who are alleged allies of the exiled junta leader have been freed from jail.
Lt. Macky Diao says Col. Oumar Sano and several others were arrested last week and held until their release Monday. The reasons for the arrests were not clear, but army chief Col. Nouhou Thiam said they were not political.
The arrests come weeks before the country is to hold an election aimed at returning Guinea to civilian rule. The military has long held near-absolute power in this West African nation.
Former members of Capt. Moussa “Dadis” Camara’s government that took power after a 2008 coup will be allowed to run for office, but prominent transitional government officials have been barred from running.
