Guinea: Trial of former magistrate Algassimou Diallo postponed after defense boycott

Guinea’s Supreme Court in Conakry postponed former magistrate Algassimou Diallo’s trial indefinitely on Friday after his lawyers boycotted the hearing. Detained since August 27 and on trial since September 4, he faces charges of inciting discrimination, hatred or violence and criminal association, including over messages he allegedly exchanged with exiled opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo. His lawyers objected to the impartiality of three judges and said they had not received timely access to the case file; the court rejected their requests to recuse the judges and annul the proceedings. Dismissed in August, Diallo had served as chief prosecutor in the trial over the 2009 Conakry stadium massacre.