Protests in Burkina Faso over detention of ex-head of Bar Association

Burkina Faso Law Society (SYNAF) and the International Conference of the Bars of Common Legal Tradition (CIB) that brings together 45 Francophone countries, have denounced the detention of Burkinabe's ex-Bar Association president Mamadou Traore on suspicion of involvement in last September's failed coup.

"We are angry because the detention targets a lawyer who, in his work, always protects the rule of law," a letter written to Burkinabe president by CIB Secretary General Bernard Vatier, said.

Traore was arrested and detained on April 25 at the country's main prison on suspicion of involvement in the Sept. 16, 2015 failed coup.

Sources said on Friday he faces charges of "threatening state security, complicity in a plot to threaten state security, causing injuries, complicity in causing injuries and assassinations."

On its part, SYNAF reiterated the "need to legally and impartially pursue all perpetrators of the failed coup together with their accomplices."

The association strongly condemned the action taken against its former leader and urged all lawyers to prepare for battle as they await future resolutions of its governing council.

On Sept. 16, 2015, soldiers from the ex-Presidential Security Regiment briefly overthrew the transition regime, before being defeated by protesters and regular army officers who had come from the interior of the country.

Resistance to the coup attempt led to the death of 15 people and left 200 others injured.

After the coup was quelled, several people suspected of involvement were arrested.

They included the mastermind Gen. Gilbert Diendere and Djibrill Bassole as well as several military officers and civilians who worked closely with the deposed president Blaise Compaore. Enditem