BSG Resources Protests at Illegal Detention of its Employees in Guinea and Pledges to Support Them

ST PETER PORT, Guernsey, May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

BSGR, the privately-owned international natural resources and power company, has called on the Government of Guinea to release two BSGR employees who have been held in captivity in appalling conditions for 28 days, with no evidence of any wrongdoing.  It also calls on former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to help obtain the employees' release in his capacity as a close and trusted adviser to the Guinean regime.

Our employees, Ibrahima Sory Touré and Issaga Bangoura, were arrested in Conakry, capital of Guinea, on 19 April 2013, and have since been held on baseless allegations of so-called "passive corruption".  Their detention contravenes Guinea's Criminal Procedure Code as well as several international agreements ratified by Guinea and designed to protect basic human rights.

During this period of detention there has been no indication from the prosecution authorities of any evidence against these men.  

Mr Touré, Mr Bangoura, and their families, continue to suffer gross mental and physical distress.  The wives of both of these men have also been held and interrogated by officials in Conakry.  Gassama Touré suffered a miscarriage as a direct result of such harassment.  The conditions in which these men are being held, seen by their defense counsel, Rachel Lindon and Eddy Arneton, this week, falls a long way short of the Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners set out by the United Nations.  This includes their access to sanitation, clothing, bedding, food and medical services.

Rachel Lindon said: "These men have been locked-up without cause or due process.  Those who care for human rights in Guinea should stand-up and be counted. This case could suggest that the justice system in Guinea is little more than an extension of executive power where innocent people can be detained without recognition of their fundamental rights."

BSGR will continue to support its employees in these difficult times for them and their families and trusts that the Government and the judicial system of Guinea will put an end to such illegal detention swiftly.

Media Enquiries re. BSGR, Powerscourt, +44(0)20-7250-1446, Rory Godson / Ian Middleton / Conal Walsh, bsg@powerscourt-group.com