Trial of the assassination of Thomas Sankara: the defense continues its final arguments

The courtroom where the trial of the accused in the assassination of Thomas Sankara is being held, in Ouagadougou, on February 3, 2022. © AFP - GUY PETERSON

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2 mins

The defense continued this Wednesday its pleadings in the trial of the assassination of Thomas Sankara.

The last before the deliberation of the judges.

All that is missing is the case of General Gilbert Diendéré, considered one of the main responsible for the death of the father of the Burkinabè revolution.

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With our special correspondent in Ouagadougou

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When the hearing closed at the end of the afternoon, the cases of eleven alleged assassins and accomplices had been heard by the trial chamber of the Ouagadougou military court.

The councils of the alleged killers of the father of the Burkinabe revolution continue to insist on the absence of proof against their clients and the prescription of the facts which date back to October 15, 1987.

The trial opened this morning with Me Eliane Marie Natacha Kaboré, counsel for Yamba Elysée Ilboudo, the only one who pleaded guilty to the acts of complicity in the attack on state security and assassination.

The only one also to have pointed the finger at his co-defendants.

The lawyer recalled that her client was only a "

 " who was content to obey Hyacinthe Kafando, who is given the leading role in this case and is currently on the run.

The lawyer clarified that her client just served as a driver for the commando, under the order of Hyacinthe Kafando, who is given the leading role in this case and is currently on the run.

For Me Kaboré, Elysée Ilboudo was totally unaware that a coup was in preparation and therefore had no criminal intent.

Then came the Bossobé Traoré file, which is accused of being the mole within the Sankara camp.

He had been injured in the attack on the Council of the Entente, where the former president's last meeting was held.

Charges that his defense vigorously rejected, arguing that his client felt very close to Thomas Sankara.

Waiting for the argument of the lawyers of Gilbert Diendéré

The afternoon ended with Ninda Tondé, General Gilbert Diendéré's driver, accused of witness tampering.

The clandestine recording which involves the accused is considered "

 ", by Me Ollo Larousse Hien, for whom the audio piece should have been rejected by the judges.

The last and most anticipated pleading takes place this Thursday, March 24 with the five lawyers of General Gilbert Diendéré.

The latter is identified as one of the crucial actors in the assassination of the father of the Burkinabe revolution and his men and who faces twenty years in prison.

►Also read: Webdoc - Who had Sankara killed?

30 years later, lines of inquiry

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• Burkina Faso

• Justice

• Thomas Sankara