Guinea forces 'planned crackdown'

Conakry, 28 Oct-(ANA)-A deadly crackdown on protesters in Guinea in September was "premeditated and pre-planned at the highest level", Human Rights Watch has said.

Soldiers deployed at the sports stadium where protesters had gathered blocked the exits before systematically killing and raping protesters, the group says.

Activists say 157 people were killed but officials say far fewer died and claim most were trampled to death.

The EU is the latest international body to put sanctions on the ruling junta.

The bloc put an arms embargo on the country and imposed sanctions against its military leaders.

EU officials have joined pressure groups, including US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), in calling for members of the junta to be tried for human rights violations. (ANA)

FA/ANA/28 October 2009---