On September 11, 2026, Guinean activist and school Principal, Abdourahmane Bella Bah, was released after spending over one month in detention, including pre-trial detention over social media remarks about Conakry’s Grand Imam, Elhadj Mamadou Saliou Camara.
Bah was arrested on August 8, 2026, by armed men wearing military uniforms and masks, who took him from the private school in Conakry where he serves as principal. He was held for three days at the headquarters of the Judicial Investigations Unit of the National Police before being arraigned before the Dixinn Court of First Instance on August 13, 2026.
Bah was prosecuted for “insult and defamation via electronic means.”
On August 11, the Imam publicly stated that he had forgiven Bah and called for his release. Despite this, Bah was tried and, on August 19, convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment, five months of which were suspended, as well as a fine of 40 million Guinean francs (Approximatively USD 4,519.76).
Bah was released on September 11, 2026, after serving the custodial part of his sentence. He also paid the 40 million Guinean francs fine imposed by the Dixinn Court of First Instance.
The Media Foundation for West Africa welcomes the release of Abdourahmane Bella Bah and calls on the Guinean authorities to ensure that no individual is subjected to arbitrary arrest, or prolonged detention for expressing opinions online.
