CONAKRY (Reuters) - Guinean security forces have arrested the former head of the army and other high-ranking soldiers believed to be allies of former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara, a military source said on Monday.
"They are being held at the base in Matam," said a military source, who requested anonymity. Another source said former army chief Colonel Oumar Sanoh and his deputy Colonel Abdoulaye Keita were among those arrested.
Guinea's chief of the armed forces, Colonel Nouhou Thiam, confirmed on state television that several senior defence officials had been detained for corruption checks and that they would be released if found innocent.
"There are no political connotations," he said. "If, after our checks we find nothing to hold against them, they will be liberated".
The West African country holds a presidential election on June 27 aimed at transferring power to civilian rule. The transitional government has said pro-Camara fighters may try to sabotage the poll.
Guinea, the world's top supplier of aluminium ore bauxite, has been in crisis since a military coup late last year filled the power vacuum left by the death of President Lansana Conte.
