Burundi prosecutor appeals for life imprisonment for coup plotters

Burundi’s public prosecutor who had requested for life imprisonment for the 28 soldiers and police officers charged for an attempted coup, is not satisfied with the judgement and has filed an appeal against the sentence.

In January 15, Burundi’s Supreme Court sentenced to life imprisonment four generals who organised the failed coup, nine officers were sentenced to thirty years in prison for taking part in the coup, while eight troopers were given five years and seven other people acquitted.

In his statement, prosecutor Adolphe Manirakiza demanded “a sentence of life imprisonment for all the defendants” and requested countries hosting the coup leaders who fled abroad to be extradited back to Burundi to be sentenced.

He has also for the first time made public names of 34 people opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third term in office.

The list includes opposition leaders, civil rights activists and independent media personalities, who he said will be prosecuted in due time for their alleged involvement in the attempted coup.

Unrest has blighted Burundi since the attempted coup in May and protests over the president’s continued rule.

The attempt to overthrow President Nkurunziza followed his decision to seek a third term in office, which he won in a disputed election in July.

The United Nations estimates more than 400 people have died and at least 240,000 others have been displaced since the unrest erupted in April.