The father of a teenager from Guinea with sickle cell disease who died days after he was arrested for cheating in an exam has told the BBC he blames the authorities for his death. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Mamadou Djouma Bah, 17, was arrested on 15 July for using his phone during Guinea's national school-leaving exam, along with other students suspected of exam fraud. Two days later, he was convicted for cheating and sentenced to six months in prison, five of which were suspended.
He was serving his one month in a prison in Kindia, about 137km north-east of the capital Conakry, when his health deteriorated. The teenager was transferred to hospital but discharged after two days and died at home.
His father, Mamadou Saliou Bah, said his son did not receive good medical care in detention. He recalled that in hospital, his son said he could not breathe properly and asked to lean against him, then said: "Dad, I'm dying."
Sickle cell disease is a lifelong illness common in people of African descent, caused by a faulty gene that produces abnormally shaped red blood cells. This can cause severe pain in the chest, limbs, back and joints, and may lead to organ damage.
Education Minister Alpha Bacar Barry said he was "deeply saddened" and extended condolences. Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation and the prosecution of other students.
On Wednesday, students protested for the release of their classmates. The father said: "A student should not be sent to prison. These young people are the future of our country. I also ask the authorities to release the other students who are still detained before they too lose their lives."