Burkina Faso court of justice suspends trial of 34 ex-ministers

The High Court of Justice of Burkina Faso has suspended its trial of thirty four ex-ministers of former President Blaise Compaore’s government, pending the correction of its prosecution texts.

The 34 ministers are being prosecuted for their presumed involvement in the repression of the popular insurrection of October 2014 which overthrew the then President Blaise Compaore.

The trial, which opened at the end of April, also involves the former President Blaise Compaoré, who then served as Minister of Defense, a position he held cumulatively as head of state before being overthrown by the street protests.

The trial has now been suspended following a motion of unconstitutionality filed by defense lawyers.

Established in 1995 under the Blaise Compaore regime, the High Court of Justice, had remained inactive until its re-opening in April 2015.

It is the only court in Burkina Faso that is empowered to try the Head of State and the Ministers for acts committed in the exercise of their functions.