2023-09-07 23:38:37
The European Court of Human Rights blocks the extradition of François Compaoré
Ouagadougou, September 7, 2023 (AIB) – The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday asked France to suspend the extradition of François Compaoré, considering that the assurances provided in the past by the Burkina Faso, should be re-examined.
In a judgment published on September 7, 2023, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on the decree taken on February 21, 2020 by France, authorizing the extradition of François Compaoré to Burkina Faso.
For the ECHR, Paris must re-examine the assurances provided by Ouagadougou, after the socio-political upheavals that occurred in 2022.
The Court followed François Compaoré who assured that his extradition would lead to exceptionally serious consequences on his security and physical integrity, and would violate Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment).
In addition, she orders the defendant State to pay her 15,000 euros (approximately 9 million 750 thousand FCFA) for her legal fees.
“We welcome with relief this decision which demonstrates the independence and impartiality of European justice, guarantor of fundamental rights, and we regret that France has not taken the initiative to withdraw the extradition decree signed on 21 February 2020 over the course of a situation which made it an attack on the rights and freedoms of our client,” reacted Me Clara Gérard-Rodriguez, lawyer for François Compaoré, in a press release.
As a reminder, Burkinabe justice wants to listen to François Compaoré, younger brother of President Blaise Compaoré (1987-2014), for his alleged involvement in the assassinations of journalist Norbert Zongo and three of his companions, on December 13, 1998.
At the time of the events, Norbert Zongo was investigating the death in murky circumstances of David Ouédraogo, driver of François Compaoré.
Burkina Faso Information Agency
Sources: CEDH, AFP.
Photo: Young Africa
#European #Court #Human #Rights #blocks #extradition #François #Compaoré #AIB