The Ouagadougou High Court sentenced Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré, former head of security for ex-transitional President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, to 11 years in prison.
These will include five years in custody, for complicity in the wilful destruction of private property by arson and endangering the lives of others.
The Burkinabe judiciary delivered its ruling on Friday in the case involving the burning of a vehicle belonging to Imhotep Bayala, coordinator of the movement “Deux Heures pour Nous, Deux Heures pour Kamita.”
Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré was found guilty of complicity in wilful destruction of private property by arson as well as endangering the lives of others.
The court sentenced him to 11 years’ imprisonment, including five years to be served, along with a fine of 2 million CFA francs. An arrest warrant has been issued against him.
Three other defendants — Sawadogo Hamidou, also known as Alpha; Boro Aboubacar, alias Brade; and Poda Nania, known as Chuteur — were also found guilty in the case. Each was handed a five-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 2 million CFA francs.
According to court proceedings, only Poda Nania appeared before the court at the time of the verdict.
On the civil side, the court ruled in favour of the complainant. The convicted individuals were held jointly liable for damages suffered by Imhotep Bayala and ordered to pay 12.7 million CFA francs in compensation.
The ruling brings to a close a closely followed trial due to the profile of those involved and the political context surrounding the case.
In January Lieutenant Colonel Damiba was extradited from Lomé to Ouagadougou, where he is facing charges over an alleged attempted assassination of Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
HO/ac/lb/as/APA