CITIZENS ANGRY OVER MISSING CORPSES, INDICATIONS

S E C R E T CONAKRY 000601 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC GV SUBJECT: CITIZENS ANGRY OVER MISSING CORPSES, INDICATIONS OF POSSIBLE POLITICAL DETAINEES Classified By: A/DCM SHANNON CAZEAU FOR REASON 1.4 B AND D ¶1. (SBU) Conakry residents are increasingly angry over the military's seizure of the bodies of victims killed by Red Berets during yesterday's violence at the stadium. According to multiple sources, the military transferred most of the corpses to Camp Alpha Yaya yesterday afternoon. One source close to the Camp told A/DCM that the military was burying bodies throughout the night in order to cover up the extent of the violence. Family members have been denied access to the bodies. ¶2. (SBU) As of 1400, people were gathering in the Nongo/Cosa area, intending to "march on Camp Alpha Yaya" in order to demand that the bodies of the slain be released. Others feel that there may be survivors who are in critical condition and not receiving adequate medical care. ¶3. (C) The same source close to the Camp claimed that the military arrested dozens of people last night under cover of darkness. According to contact, the military took these individuals to Camp Alpha Yaya where they proceeded to beat and otherwise torture them. Contact claimed that some of these individuals died as a result of their treatment, and were immediately buried on site. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (S) Sensitive sources have also indicated that the military may be holding political prisoners at the camp and that they are likely being mistreated. The military's seizure of the corpses is widely viewed as an attempt to cover up a mounting death toll. Recent international press reports now have the total at over 150. At least two more fatalities were reported as a result of violence today. END COMMENT. BROKENSHIRE