News. Burkina Faso’s judicial system has delivered a verdict, sentencing the former head of security for Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba to 11 years in prison, with five years to be served without parole. This ruling emerges amidst a particularly sensitive political climate in the West African nation.
A fresh judicial development has unfolded in Burkina Faso. On Friday, June 5, the High Court of Ouagadougou handed down an 11-year prison sentence, including five years firm, to Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré. Zanré previously served as the head of security for the former transitional president, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.
The officer was found guilty of complicity in the deliberate destruction of private property by arson and endangering the lives of others. These charges stem from the incident involving the burning of a vehicle belonging to Imhotep Bayala, who coordinates the movement known as «Deux Heures pour Nous, Deux Heures pour Kamita».
Prison term and arrest warrant issued
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of two million CFA francs and issued an arrest warrant for Captain Zanré. Three other individuals implicated in the case were also convicted, each receiving a five-year suspended prison sentence and a two-million CFA franc fine.
Over 12 million CFA francs in damages
On the civil aspect of the case, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The convicted parties are jointly liable to pay 12.7 million CFA francs to Imhotep Bayala as compensation for the damages incurred. This particular case garnered significant public attention across Burkina Faso, owing to the high-profile nature of the accused and its broader political ramifications.
Damiba’s legal challenges continue
This verdict comes as former transitional leader Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba remains entangled in several other judicial proceedings. Reports indicate that Damiba was recently extradited from Lomé to Ouagadougou. Authorities accuse him, among other things, of an alleged assassination attempt against the current transitional president, Ibrahim Traoré.