A significant legal development has unfolded in Burkina Faso. The High Court of Ouagadougou, on Friday, June 5, sentenced Captain Abdoul Kader Zanré, who previously served as the security chief for the former Transitional President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, to a total of 11 years in prison, with five years to be served without parole.

The officer was found guilty of complicity in the deliberate destruction of private property by fire and the endangerment of human life. These charges stem from the arson incident involving the vehicle of Imhotep Bayala, who coordinates the movement known as « Deux Heures pour Nous, Deux Heures pour Kamita ».

Prison sentence and arrest warrant issued

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a fine of two million CFA francs and issued an arrest warrant for Captain Zanré.

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

Over 12 million CFA francs in damages

On the civil aspect of the proceedings, 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 he incurred.

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

Damiba’s legal challenges persist

This verdict comes at a time when the former head of the Transition, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, remains embroiled in several other judicial investigations.

Reports indicate that Damiba was recently extradited from Lomé back to Ouagadougou. Authorities have notably accused him of an alleged attempt to assassinate the current Transitional President, Ibrahim Traoré.