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Conakry — Dozens of women took to the streets of Guinea’s capital on Wednesday over a video shared on social media which appeared to show a rape filmed by the attacker.
Around 150 demonstrators waved placards with slogans such as “no to violence against women” and “justice for the victims” at the peaceful march in Conakry organised by a pressure group called “Hands Off My Sister”.
The video “was the straw that broke the camel’s back” said Asmaou Barry, a spokesperson for the group, which is calling for tougher action on violence against women.
Various local media said the two-minute film was posted on Facebook and showed an attack against a young woman at knifepoint in a bedroom.
It is not clear how many users saw the video nor how long it remained available before it was removed.
Two men have been arrested and charged with complicity in rape while the alleged attacker has fled to neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, according to Justice Minister Cheick Sako.
“I gave instructions yesterday for an international arrest warrant to be launched,” Sako confirmed to the marchers.
One of the alleged accomplices is accused of helping the suspected rapist escape while the other is said to have provided the room where the attack took place in July in a southern suburb of Conakry.
All three are said to belong to a urban music collective which is well-known in the city. The minister said the chief suspect contested the facts of the case, adding that he “must come to explain himself before the courts”.
“Because if he doesn’t come, wherever he goes, we will hunt him. Let this be clear,” Sako added. — AFP
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu