The specialized judicial unit for terrorism cases in Burkina Faso recently held its inaugural session. A total of 18 individuals were convicted for acts of terrorism, while 12 were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

In a statement dated July 10, the prosecutor of Burkina Faso at the Tribunal de Grande Instance Ouaga 2 announced the verdicts. Of the 18 individuals convicted, two received life imprisonment and 16 were sentenced to 21 years in prison.

The convicts must also pay fines ranging from one to two million CFA francs.

In total, 20 cases involving around thirty individuals were examined during the first session of the specialized judicial unit, which took place between mid-June and early July. This is the first verdict delivered by the unit in 2024.

The court aims to promptly address cases involving individuals prosecuted for acts of terrorism or financing terrorism. A case involving four individuals was postponed due to the unavailability of an interpreter, according to the prosecutor.