afrol News, 1 December - Guinea's ruling junta has arrested a prominent human rights activist amid United Nations investigations into the 28 September massacre of more than 150 opposition supporters at a national stadium.

Mr Mouctar Diallo was reportedly arrested for giving an interview to the UN investigators working on the September massacre case.

Reports said Mr Diallo was taken to the Alpha Yaya Diallo military camp, the headquarters of the Guinean junta for questioning where he has been denied visitation rights by his family.

Human rights groups had said that at least 157 people were killed, while the ruling junta says 57 people died, most in the crush of people fleeing the stadium.

The demonstration was called to protest the expected presidential candidacy of military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara who seized power on 23 December following the death of President Lansana Conte.

Captain Camara has expressed his "profound sympathy" for the families of those killed, but said he could not take responsibility for the violence allegedly perpetrated by his officers.

Captain Camara has promised to cooperate fully with the UN inquiry team and met with the commission members shortly after their arrival in Conakry last week.

In mid November, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon dispatched a team of the International Commission of Inquiry to probe September’s violent crackdown on unarmed demonstrators in Guinea.

Ever since the military dispersed an opposition protest in a Conakry stadium with great loss of life, many Guinean journalists and rights activists have been living in fear of retribution by government officials.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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