Groups say Guinea rally deaths at 157

CONAKRY, Guinea, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A human rights groups said Tuesday a military crackdown on anti-government protesters in Guinea killed at least 157 people and wounded more than 1,200.

The Guinean Organization for Defense of Human Rights said the death toll continued to rise as humanitarian and medical workers found more bodies slain by security forces in a stadium in Conakry, Guinea's capital, Monday, Voice of America reported Tuesday.

Quoting witnesses, the international Human Rights Watch said protesters were shot multiple times, stabbed, and women were beaten and sexually assaulted.

Guinea's military ruler, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, admitted some "uncontrollable soldiers" were responsible for the deaths, but did not say how many people died at the rally called to protest his anticipated run at the country's presidency, the BBC reported.

The military's actions drew worldwide condemnation, with the European Union Tuesday calling for those responsible to be held accountable. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the African Union and the French government also condemned the use of force.

Camara took power in a coup last December following the death of Guinea's longtime president, Lansana Conte.

The Economic Community of West African States said it was considering escalating its sanctions against Guinea, which is already suspended from attending meetings at the heads-of-state and ministerial levels.

"(We want them) to ask the military to get back immediately to the barracks and then to make sure that the preparation for the elections are put back on the agenda and that (Camara) goes back to the barracks and never even attempt to become a candidate in this election ... because that is the bone of contention," Abdelfatau Musah, ECOWAS political director, told Voice of America.

Elections are scheduled for January.