Teen jailed for exam cheating in Guinea dies after sickle cell complications, father says

A 17-year-old student in Guinea has died after becoming ill in prison following his conviction for alleged exam cheating. His father says inadequate medical care in detention contributed to the death, prompting calls from human rights groups for an independent investigation and raising concerns about imprisoning students for examination offences.

Mamadou Djouma Bah, who had sickle cell disease, was arrested on 15 July after allegedly using a phone during the national school-leaving exam and received a six-month sentence, with five months suspended. While serving the remaining month in Kindia prison, his condition worsened and he was taken to hospital; officials say he spent about two days there before being discharged home, where he died. Other students remain detained, and protests have called for their release.