The International Criminal Court (ICC) will look into the massacre of over 150 Guineans last month.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo confirmed on Wednesday that the situation in Guinea is under preliminary examination in order to determine whether crimes falling under the court’s jurisdiction have been perpetrated.
 

Conakry stadium massacre
The examination has been launched as result of the massacre that took place at an opposition rally in Conakry on 28 September. The United Nations and human rights groups say more than 150 people were killed by troops who opened fire at the rally, which was being held in a football stadium. The military claims the number of dead was 56.
 

The number of injured is reported at 1,200. This number includes women who were raped by soldiers, according to local human rights groups.
 

“From the information we have received, from the pictures I have seen, women were abused or otherwise brutalized on the pitch of Conraky’s stadium, apparently by men in uniform” Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a statement. “This is appalling, unacceptable. It must never happen again. Those responsible must be held accountable”.
 

Guinea is party to the Rome Statute , which grants the ICC jurisdiction to investigate this incident and others relating to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide possibly committed in Guinea or by Guineans, including killings of civilians and sexual violence.
 

Never before seen brutality
The EU Development Commissioner Karel de Gucht described the bloodbath as "brutality never before seen", singling out the role of junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara in the process. Camara seized power in a bloodless coup last December hours after the death of Lansana Conte, the former leader who ruled the country with an iron fist since 1984.
 

"Sooner or later he [Camara] will have to stand in court after the brutal attack against civilians," De Gucht said. Camara has denied responsibility for the attacks.
 

Opposition rally
The rally was down to opposition anger over Camara's apparent intention to stand in the proposed January elections. Camara had vowed to only hold office for a short period following the December coup in a bid to crack down on drug trafficking and corruption.
 

The African Union had already threatened sanctions against Camara had he decided to run, and gave him until 17 October to make this intention clear.
 

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton added weight to the accusations voicing her outrage over the violence and reported rapes and saying the junta "cannot remain in power". The US is calling for Camara to step aside and facilitate legitimate elections.
 

For the ICC press release click here