The closed-door interrogation of one of the alleged victims of rape during the massacre at the September 28, 2009 stadium continued on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Dixinn criminal court.
At the exit of the room, the lawyers of the various parties are not unanimous as for the veracity of the account of the victim who wished to testify with covered face. For Me Pépé Koulémou of the collective of Moussa Dadis lawyers, the victim confirmed certain facts acquired in previous debates: “in particular the presence of Toumba Diakité. The lady made a development by saying that Toumba was indeed at the stadium and fired bursts at the citizens. It was acquired in the debates. It is not taboo. »
For the facts of which she is presumed to be a victim, the lawyer indicates that the victim has not provided any evidence and the persons cited are not in the accused’s box.
“The lady gave the names of people who allegedly committed cases of rape. Among these names, there is no name of the people who are in the dock. She brought no evidence. Rape is a substantive offence. It’s not regarding making mere statements. We must provide proof of what she allegedly suffered. In reality the lady did not say how she was the victim. She didn’t even say the name of anyone who allegedly forcibly had sex with her. There is no medical-legal certificate. So far we have no evidence justifying the facts for which she complained, ”said Me Pépé Koulémou.
For his part, Me Alpha Amadou DS Bah of the civil party, believes that this testimony corroborates most of the facts that the victim allegedly suffered.
“She reiterated all the information she had given in her police report and added other information which effectively confirms that she was the victim of rape. For the most part, she reiterated her statements. We believe that she had to convince the court of the facts that she actually suffered”.
On the doubts of Me Koulémou, the lawyer for the civil party specifies: “The medical certificate is added to the file. I think that Mr. Pépé had to make more efforts by consulting the documents in the file. Her rape is proven and she made revelations regarding the perpetrator of her rape. This one is not currently prosecuted but we are conducting investigations for it. We know her first name, but unfortunately we do not know her location… The camera will continue as far as she is concerned. As soon as she finishes the next civil party that will appear, it will be public and everyone will be invited. »
