A French human rights lawyer has asked former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to help release two mining industry professionals from prison in Guinea, the Guardian reported yesterday.
Ibrahima Touré and Issaga Bangoura, managers at BSG Resources, were accused of “passive corruption” and have been imprisoned, along with their wives, for over a month in “overcrowded” cells.
One of the women is said to have suffered a miscarriage after a particularly aggressive interrogation.
The plea to Mr. Blair comes at a tumultuous time in Guinea as the country’s transition to democracy from military rule has been marred recently by outbreaks of deadly street violence.
Blair is a controversial figure in Africa, attributable to British foreign policy during his tenure at 10 Downing Street.
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