Court approved extradition of Compaoré’s brother
Publish date: 10 December 2018
Issue Number: 803
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: General
A French court has agreed to the extradition of François Compaoré, brother of Burkina Faso's ousted leader Blaise Compaoré. François Compaoré fled Burkina Faso in 2014 after his brother resigned amid popular street protests following 27 years in power. BBC News reports that he was arrested in France in October last year in connection with the murder in Burkina Faso in 1998 of investigative journalist Norbert Zongo. His family has long accused Compaore of having had a hand in the killings, which drew international condemnation. A report on the France24 site notes that Compaore's lawyers argued against his extradition saying the charges he faces do not exist in France and warned he could face the death penalty.
