Burkina Faso justice targets 14 people for extradition
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sidwaya
Burkina Faso’s counter-terrorism prosecutor has launched extradition proceedings against 14 people wanted under international arrest warrants for terrorism-related offences. Requests were sent notably to Ivory Coast, the United States and France, according to prosecutor general Désiré Sawadogo.
The prosecutor’s office of the counter-terrorism division of the Ouaga 2 High Court is targeting 14 people in proceedings involving extradition requests and international arrest warrants, prosecutor general at the Ouagadougou Court of Appeal, Désiré Sawadogo, said on Friday 13 November. The prosecutions notably concern complicity in a terrorist criminal association, terrorist financing, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition for terrorist purposes, glorification of terrorism and incitement to rebellion, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The 14 people wanted notably include Yipènè Djibril Bassolé, former Burkinabè foreign minister, Newton Ahmed Barry, former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Adama Ouédraogo, known as “Damis”, who is being prosecuted for terrorist criminal association and glorification of terrorism. The prosecutor’s office also said extradition requests had been sent to the authorities of several countries, including Ivory Coast, the United States and France.
Prosecutor general Désiré Sawadogo also said that the investigation is continuing concerning Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, former transitional president of Burkina Faso, François Compaoré, brother of former president Blaise Compaoré, as well as Yacouba Ladji Bama, Aminata Rachow, Camille Makosso, Henri Sebgo, Maixent Somé and the television channel France 24, being prosecuted as a legal entity.
The announcement came on 13 November, the same day as the publication of a report indicating that 45 arrest warrants had been issued for terrorism, including one targeting Newton Barry. It also follows the opening of an investigation into terrorism offences announced on 13 November by Burkina Faso’s justice system, according to the opening of an investigation into terrorism offences.
