According to witnesses quoted in the report, heavily-armed soldiers haved raided offices, shops, clinics and homes in broad daylight. At night they have stolen cars, computers, cash and jewelry - and threatened judges to try to influence rulings.

Guinean army captain Moussa Dadis Camara seized power in the world's biggest bauxite exporter in December after the death of long-standing leader Lansana Conte.

Camara's National Council for Development and Democracy (CNDD) junta, which vowed to end corruption and restore the rule of law, was broadly welcomed at first but increasingly erratic behaviour by its leaders have fomented concerns of instability.

HRW said most of the abuses were carried out under the pretext of a crackdown on drug trafficking, counterfeit medicines and corruption. Soldiers targeted neighbours of suspected criminals and Guinean and foreign businessmen.

THEFT HRW said military personnel it had interviewed suggested individuals posing as soldiers had carried out the crimes.

Victims said they saw stolen goods on sale in a store just outside the main Alpha Yaha military camp and that army personnel had been seen driving seized vehicles round Conakry.

The Guinean said the soldiers stole US$10,000 (S$15,000), bundled him into a car and then dumped him a few kilometres down the road.

HRW said it had documented the case of a 15-year-old girl being raped by a soldier - and this was the only time the military had responded.

HRW said the soldier responsible was detained for several days and the family dropped the case after the military paid the girl's medical costs. -- REUTERS