This Thursday, the Guinean justice system released two detainees accused of attempting a coup in 2022, lawyer Rivaldo Ka, who represents businessman Armindo Gomez “Joto,” one of those released, told Lusa this Thursday.
In addition to Joto, Wilson Barbosa came out. Two civilians were arrested in February 2022 on charges of participating in a coup attempt that occurred on the 1st of that month.
According to the lawyer, the Joto businessman was released permanently following a ruling by a judge in criminal cases (JIC) who ordered the release in June 2022.
Rivaldo Ka said the order “has not yet been implemented.”
“Four months after my constituent was arrested, the JIC acquitted him. We proved his innocence, but the order for his release was not carried out,” said Rivaldo Ka.
The lawyer told Lusa that he would file a lawsuit against the Guinean state, demanding compensation “for the damage caused” to the businessman on a personal level, due to the deterioration of his health, and to his business.
“His company sank,” Rivaldo Ka emphasized.
Although he is not a constituent, the lawyer noted that Wilson Barbosa was on medical parole under the terms of a TIR.
The Regional Military Court of Bissau began the trial of 25 people, including civilians and military personnel, but suspended sessions on the 4th of this month and currently has no date for resumption.
The detainees’ legal team is demanding that the court take a stand during preliminary examinations against the 17 people who are still in custody despite receiving release orders issued by the JIC.
The defense has launched appeals, demanding, among other things, compliance with the release order for the men as a condition for the continuation of the trial, which is to take place at the Bissalanca airbase on the outskirts of Bissau.
Among those detained is the former head of the Guinean Navy, Vice Admiral José Américo Bubo Na Chuto, accused of leading the coup attempt.
According to the indictment, on February 1, 2022, armed men burst into the chamber of the Council of Ministers in the Government Palace in Bissau and opened fire on those present, including the head of state, Oumaro Sissoko Embalo, who was presiding over the meeting.
The government said it was a coup attempt that killed 11 people, most of them members of government security forces, and detained about 50 others.
Some of the detainees were due to be tried in civil court in December 2022, but the trial was postponed at the last minute “to a new date,” presumably due to rehabilitation work in central Bissau. Where is the Court located?
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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