The Burkinabe judicial system has initiated proceedings against more than 45 individuals and legal
entities in connection with alleged acts of terrorism.
Several international arrest warrants have been issued and extradition requests filed, the Prosecutor General announced on Friday.
Burkina Faso has issued international arrest warrants and begun extradition procedures against several individuals suspected of complicity in terrorist activities, financing terrorism, or condoning
terrorism, P. Desire Sawadogo, Prosecutor General at the Ouagadougou Court of Appeal, announced on Friday.
“More than six cases have been opened within the judicial division specialising in the prosecution of terrorist acts, involving over forty-five individuals as well as legal entities,” the magistrate
stated during a press conference at the Ouaga II High Court.
According to the Prosecutor General, investigations have yielded evidence implicating several individuals suspected of maintaining ties to terrorist groups, contributing to their financing, or disseminating content that promotes or justifies their actions.
The alleged offenses include complicity in a terrorist criminal conspiracy, the financing of terrorism, the illegal possession of weapons for terrorist purposes, and the distribution of images and
videos with terrorist connotations.
Also cited are allegations of defamation, undermining the morale of the national armed forces, and showing contempt for public authority.
Damiba: investigation underway
The judicial summary distinguishes between individuals, subject to arrest warrants accompanied by extradition requests and those subject solely to arrest warrants. The specific criminal charges vary from case to case.
Most of the individuals implicated are believed to reside outside of Burkina Faso.
Steps have been taken with judicial authorities in Côte d’Ivoire, France, the United States, and other countries to secure the arrests and potential extradition of the individuals in question.
“International arrest warrants have been issued, and requests for extradition and international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters have been sent,” stated Mr. Sawadogo.
Those subject to arrest warrants and extradition requests include Abdoul Aziz Dabo; Abdoulaye Barry, known as “Le Voyageur”; former ministers Djibril Bassole and Mamadou Alpha Barry; journalists Newton Ahmed Barry and Issiaka Lingani; François Zoungrana, known as “Cesar”; Hermann Zongo; and Colonel Landio Mamadou Zalla.
Meanwhile, the former president of the transition, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, is among those currently under judicial investigation. He is specifically implicated in alleged acts involving complicity in a terrorist criminal conspiracy, complicity in the illegal possession of weapons and ammunition for terrorist purposes, and complicity in the financing of terrorism.
The Ivorian Makosso in the crosshairs
Burkinabe judicial authorities have also sought the cooperation of U.S. authorities to identify the administrators of several Facebook pages suspected of disseminating content that promotes terrorism.
The public prosecutor’s office is requesting that these individuals be identified and potentially prosecuted, and that the pages in question be removed by Meta, the company that owns the social network.
“We have asked U.S. judicial authorities to contact Meta – specifically Facebook – so that the administrators of certain pages that promote terrorism can be identified and prosecuted,” the
prosecutor general explained.
The prosecutor general also announced that proceedings are underway targeting various public figures and media personalities.
He specifically mentioned the Ivorian activist Camille Makosso, against whom Ouagadougou is seeking to have legal proceedings initiated in his country of residence.
According to the magistrate, a judicial investigation also concerns the French television channel France 24 and some of its commentators, including Wassim Nasr.
The judicial document cites suspicions of complicity in a terrorist criminal conspiracy and the glorification of terrorism.
The Prosecutor General called for greater international judicial cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
He specifically invoked United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and the 1999 Organization of African Unity Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism.
“We remain hopeful that the arrest warrants and extradition requests will be followed by the necessary action in the coming days and months, ensuring that these individuals are prosecuted and tried in accordance with the law and with respect for their fundamental rights,” P. Desire Sawadogo concluded.
HO/te/fss/as/APA