Guinea’s most wanted fugitive, a former high-ranking military officer who escaped from prison last November, has been extradited from Liberia along with his son, according to officials.
Ex-Colonel Claude Pivi, who had been convicted in absentia for his involvement in the 2009 stadium massacre of opposition supporters in Conakry, will now serve his life sentence, the country’s military prosecutor confirmed.
Pivi and his son, Verny Pivi, were apprehended during a routine security check near the Guinea-Liberia border on Tuesday.
Photos circulating online show a frail-looking Claude Pivi in handcuffs next to his son, who is accused of masterminding his father’s prison escape.
Former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara, who was also freed during the jailbreak, was quickly recaptured and remains in custody, serving a 20-year sentence for crimes against humanity.
The charges against Pivi and Camara relate to the September 2009 massacre, in which Guinean troops opened fire on an opposition rally, killing over 156 people and raping dozens of women.
The rally was organised to demand a return to civilian rule, marking one of the darkest moments in Guinea’s history.
Known as “Coplan,” Pivi served as minister of presidential security in Camara’s regime.
The authorities had offered a reward of $58,000 (£43,700) for his capture.
Pivi is back in the main prison in Conakry to serve his life sentence, military prosecutor Colonel Aly Camara said on Thursday.
“He was brought back to the central prison to serve his sentence in accordance with the law,” Col Camara added.
Fatoumata Diariou Camara, one of those caught up in the violence at the rally, told the AFP news agency she was “overjoyed” that he had been recaptured.
“I pray that he will remain in prison forever,” she said.