( CNN ) -- A Guinean court has filed charges against an army colonel for his alleged role in mass rapes and killings after security forces opened fire on protesters in 2009 . Lt. Col. Moussa Camara is the highest ranking official charged in the attacks on demonstrators gathered in a Conakry stadium to protest the military rule in the country at the time . More than 150 people died in the ensuing chaos and 109 women were sexually abused , the United Nations said in a statement . `` Women were raped by soldiers in the stadium . I saw them , '' former Guinean prime minister Sidya Toure said at the time . Toure led the country from 1996-1999 , and was participating in the peaceful demonstration in the capital . The Guinean government has said most of the victims were crushed as the crowd stormed the stadium doors . `` The recent charges are a welcome step in the right direction . They signal that no official is above the law , and no citizen is below it , '' said Margaret Wallstrom , a U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict . Wallstrom highlighted the need to protect survivors while prosecuting those responsible for crimes against humanity . `` There remains an urgent need to assist the survivors and bring the remaining perpetrators to justice , '' she said . `` It is equally crucial that all victims , other witnesses and their families are afforded full protection and that no effort is spared to ensure their safety throughout this process . '' Tens of thousands of people had gathered to protest the rule of Capt . Moussa Dadis Camara , who seized power in a bloodless coup . Military rule in the nation ended in 2010 , when President Alpha Conde took over after winning elections .
Lt . Col . Moussa Mohammed is the highest ranking officer charged in the attacks . More than 150 people died in the ensuing violence . At least 109 women were sexually abused , the George R .