Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes in the African nation of Guinea after government troops allegedly shot as many as 135 people and sexually assaulted others during a pro-democracy demonstration last month.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the court’s prosecutor, confirmed he’s examining the situation in Guinea, his office said in an e- mailed statement today. Earlier today, the European Commission called for Moussa Dadis Camara, the leader of Guinea’s ruling military junta, to step down and face trial for war crimes over the shootings.

Soldiers opened fire near the stadium in Conakry, capital of the west African nation, on Sept. 28 after demonstrations by opposition supporters over Camara’s intention to run in Jan. 31 presidential elections. Guinea’s opposition contends more than 200 people were killed and 150 women were raped by members of the military during the crackdown.

“From the information we have received, from the pictures I have seen, women were abused or otherwise brutalized on the pitch of Conakry’s stadium, apparently by men in uniform,” ICC Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in the e-mailed statement.

“This is appalling, unacceptable. It must never happen again,” Bensouda said. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”

Camara has denied involvement in the killings and has appointed a commission to investigate.

Guinea is the world’s largest exporter of bauxite, a raw material used in aluminum production.

To contact the reporter on this story: Peter S. Green in New York at psgreen@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 14, 2009 14:57 EDT