Slow justice in Guinea

Six officers being held in pretrial detention since 2011 on charges of desertion and violation of orders are finally coming before a military court today in Guinea. The problem seems to have been that there was no existing military court to try them. Among the accused is a former chief of general staff of the Army. The case arises from an attack on the president's private residence. Thirty-three others were previously tried by the civilian court of assizes. Of note, the penalty for desertion is two months' confinement and six months for violating orders. Details here.