Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU) – In a shocking turn of events, three sitting judges of the Superior Military Court of Guinea-Bissau, Melvin MRI Sampa, Júlio Embana, and Rafael Gomes, were arrested on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the headquarters of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in Bissau. The arrests were ordered by a “Superior Order” following a controversial court ruling.
Family members of the detained judges revealed that they were summoned by the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Biaguê Na N’Tan, for a meeting at the Amura barracks in Bissau. According to the wife of one of the judges, who spoke to Rádio Sol Mansi, her husband left for work but never returned home.
Military sources disclosed that General Biaguê Na N’Tan sought to understand the judges’ decision to order the immediate release of detainees linked to the February 1, 2022, coup attempt. During the meeting, a directive from higher authorities required the judges to be placed in military custody until further notice. Despite their objections, the judges were detained by the military.
The Guinea-Bissau News Agency reported confirmation from the Press Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces regarding the detention of the three judges since the afternoon of July 24.
The Superior Military Court of Guinea-Bissau had issued a ruling on Tuesday, July 23, mandating the release of approximately 50 civilians and military personnel accused of involvement in the 2022 coup attempt. The ruling, dated July 19 and signed by judges Melvin MRI Sampa, Julio Embana, and Rafael Gomes, stated, “Deem this appeal partially valid and, consequently, change the appealed order of the court to the correlative one for detainees not accused and without guilt, who are released immediately.”
The court ordered the release of 17 defendants due to a lack of evidence, including General Júlio Nhate Sulté, former head of the Commandos regiment and responsible for the Cumuré Military School. However, the suspects, including over 30 soldiers and notable figures such as José Américo Bubo Na Tchutu, former Chief of Staff of the Navy, and Júlio Nhaté, former chief of staff of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, remain detained.
Despite the court’s decision, as of Thursday, July 25, the soldiers accused of the coup attempt had not been released. “The prisoners who were ordered to be released will remain in their cells,” a source familiar with the process told Gambiaj, without providing further details.
The Guinean League of Human Rights (LGDH) expressed their astonishment at the detention of the judges, who were arrested just hours after issuing the release order for the coup suspects. The LGDH registered complaints from the judges’ families, highlighting the gravity and unexpected nature of the situation.
The detentions raise serious concerns about judicial independence and the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau, as the country continues to navigate the complexities of its political and military landscape.
