Guinea’s most wanted fugitive, former senior military officer Colonel Claude Pivi, has been extradited from Liberia, alongside his son, officials have confirmed. Pivi, who escaped from prison last November, is now set to serve his life sentence after being convicted in absentia for his involvement in the 2009 massacre of opposition supporters at a stadium in Conakry.
Pivi and his son, Verny Pivi, were apprehended during a routine security check at the border between Liberia and Guinea. Recent photos show Pivi in handcuffs, appearing frail, while his son faces accusations of orchestrating the prison escape.
The former military leader Moussa Dadis Camara, who was also involved in the massacre, had been freed but was quickly recaptured and is currently serving a 20-year sentence for crimes against humanity.
The charges against Pivi are linked to the September 2009 massacre, one of the darkest episodes in Guinea’s history, where over 156 people were killed and many women were raped by troops responding to an opposition rally.
Pivi, known as “Coplan,” had served as minister of presidential security under Camara. The authorities had previously offered a $58,000 reward for his capture. He has now been returned to Conakry’s central prison to serve his life sentence, according to military prosecutor Colonel Aly Camara.
Fatoumata Diariou Camara, a victim of the violence, expressed relief at Pivi’s recapture, hoping he remains imprisoned indefinitely.
