The public prosecutor's office at the Conakry Court of Appeal officially announced the death of Claude Pivi on January 6, 2026. A former high-ranking officer and co-defendant of ex-dictator Moussa Dadis Camara, he was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 2009 Conakry stadium massacre.

A legal career marked by time on the run

Convicted on July 31, 2024 by the Dixinn Court of First Instance, Claude Pivi was found guilty of crimes against humanity . His sentence included a 25-year minimum term.

Initially on the run, the former officer was eventually captured and imprisoned on September 19, 2024, at the Coyah Central Prison. His conviction marked a historic step in the long justice process surrounding the tragic events of September 28, 2009.

Medical causes of death

According to the Attorney General, Fallou Doumbouya, Claude Pivi suffered from several chronic conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, and gout) which were being regularly monitored. However, his condition deteriorated suddenly:

1. The triggering incident: An interruption in her medical treatment reportedly caused severe hypoglycemia on January 4, 2026.
2. The evacuation: He was urgently transferred to the military hospital at the Almamy Samory Touré camp and placed in intensive care.
3. The outcome: Despite two days of attempts at stabilization by medical teams, his death was confirmed on January 6.

Transparency and autopsy

Given the sensitivity of the case, the Guinean justice system has opted for transparency. The public prosecutor at the Coyah court ordered a forensic autopsy (request no. 011) to scientifically determine the exact cause of death. The findings will be shared with the public at a later date.

"The Attorney General's office offers its condolences to the family of the deceased and to the people of Guinea," the official statement said, while reaffirming the authorities' commitment to getting to the bottom of this death.

A still sensitive issue

The death of Claude Pivi in detention comes at a time when the memory of the Conakry stadium massacre remains a raw wound for many victims' families. While his passing brings the legal proceedings to a close for him, it reignites the debate surrounding the conditions of detention and medical care for high-ranking officials convicted of major crimes in Guinea.