Guinea: 202 gold miners, including some from Burkina Faso, on trial for illegal mining

The case has caused a major stir since the deportation of several gold miners of various nationalities to Guinea. Of the 1263 people arrested and detained, 202 defendants were called to the stand for this first hearing.

Among the defendants are nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, and Guinea. They are being prosecuted for "illegal mining, environmental degradation, various acts of destruction, and water pollution."

According to the Guinean media outlet Guinéematin, the defendants all pleaded guilty in court to the charges against them.

During the hearing, the defense lawyer pointed out the presence of 12 minors among the defendants and requested that they receive treatment appropriate to their age.

A request rejected by the special prosecutor's office, which considered that their minority was not established by any supporting document.

The public prosecutor also requested that this procedure be joined with that targeting several territorial administrators of Siguiri, who are being prosecuted in the same case for alleged acts of corruption, illicit enrichment and environmental damage.

After examining the various requests, the Court ordered the consolidation of the two proceedings, before adjourning the case until Wednesday, November 11, for further proceedings.

Cheick Omar Ouedraogo