A trial of thirteen young people, including three women, opened on October 7, 2026, at the Nzérékoré Court of First Instance. They are accused of human trafficking and were arrested in a concession in the Nakoyakpala neighborhood of Nzérékoré. The suspects, aged between 18 and 30, were placed in custody on October 1, 2026, after a tip-off from local residents.
According to the public prosecutor, Mohamed Fatoumata Soumah, the suspects were lured to Nzérékoré with promises of employment, only to find themselves part of a pyramid scheme called "Infinity Millennium". The alleged scheme, which was reportedly operating in several parts of the country, promised victims a job but instead forced them into a situation of exploitation.
During their interrogation, most of the suspects claimed they had traveled to Nzérékoré seeking employment, enticed by friends or acquaintances. Once there, they were allegedly forced to participate in the "Infinity Millennium" scheme, which the prosecution described as a well-oiled machine targeting young people seeking socio-professional integration.
The public prosecutor described the conditions under which the suspects were held, including being forced to live together in a single concession, having their phones confiscated, and being subjected to strict controls on their movements and communications. These conditions, the prosecution argued, amounted to a deprivation of liberty.
However, the prosecution drew a distinction between the twelve younger suspects and Alassane Diallo, who was identified as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Diallo reportedly acted as a local relay for an individual known as "Amadou Foula", who was responsible for recruiting victims across the country.
The prosecution requested that the court dismiss the charges against the twelve younger suspects, who they considered to be victims of the scheme, but recommended that Alassane Diallo be sentenced to one year in prison for complicity in human trafficking. The court has adjourned the case, with a verdict expected on October 8, 2026.
The case highlights the growing concern over human trafficking in Guinea, particularly in the Nzérékoré region. The prosecution has called on local authorities to increase awareness about these fraudulent employment schemes, which often target vulnerable young people seeking employment opportunities.
Key points
- Thirteen young people, including three women, are on trial for human trafficking in Nzérékoré.
- The suspects were lured to Nzérékoré with promises of employment, only to find themselves part of a pyramid scheme.
- The prosecution has requested that twelve of the suspects be dismissed from the charges, while the alleged mastermind, Alassane Diallo, faces a one-year prison sentence.
