A Burkina Faso court jails ex-damiba security chief in arson case

In a recent judicial turn, the High Court of Ouagadougou on Friday, June 5, handed down an 11-year prison sentence to Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré, the former security chief for ex-Transitional President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Five years of this sentence are to be served firmly.

The officer was found guilty of complicity in the deliberate destruction of private property by arson and of endangering the lives of others. These charges stemmed 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

Beyond the imprisonment, the court also imposed a substantial fine of two million CFA francs on Captain Zanré and issued an arrest warrant in his name.

Three other individuals implicated in the case were also convicted. Each received a five-year suspended prison sentence and a two-million CFA franc fine.

over 12 million CFA francs in damages

Addressing the civil aspect of the case, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The convicted parties are collectively obligated to pay 12.7 million CFA francs to Imhotep Bayala as compensation for the damages incurred.

This particular case has drawn considerable attention across Burkina Faso, largely due to the high profile of the accused and its broader political ramifications.

damiba’s legal challenges continue

This ruling emerges as former Transitional Head of State, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, remains embroiled in several ongoing legal proceedings.

Information suggests that Damiba was recently extradited from Lomé to Ouagadougou. Authorities have notably accused him of an alleged assassination attempt against the current Transitional President, Ibrahim Traoré.