Trial of former President delayed again
Publish date: 22 May 2017
Issue Number: 726
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Burkina Faso
The long-delayed trial of Burkino Faso's former President Blaise Compaore and members of his Cabinet was last week adjourned for a month after his lawyers claimed that he would not receive a fair hearing. Compaore, who fled to neighbouring Ivory Coast during a popular revolt in 2014 against his attempts to change the Constitution and extend his 27-year-rule, is being tried in absentia. Compaore and 34 former Ministers face charges of authorising the use of force against unarmed protesters during the uprising that toppled him. Al Jazeera reports that defence lawyers are appealing the format of the trial.
