In Burkina Faso, Pascal Zaida was released by the prosecutor on Tuesday, August 17, after three days in police custody. The prosecutor also decided not to follow up on the allegations against civil society figures.
Pascal Zaida had been was arrested on Friday, August 13, the day after a press conference during which he criticized President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré’s response to the jihadist attacks in the country. He had assured that all conditions were met for a revolt against power.
Since then, Pascal Zaida has been accused of jeopardizing state security, encouraging insurgency and subversive statements. But on Tuesday, the prosecutor finally decided not to follow up or initiate proceedings against him.
Pascal Zaida never intended to attack state security, assures his lawyer, Maître Isaac Ndorimana, together with Laure Broulard of Africa’s editorial staff: “the little phrase he uttered at the end of his press conference, according to which all elements are there to bring down power, it is a reflection he launched in the game of questions and answers with journalists.” The prosecutor listened to Pascal Zaida and sent him “a warning”, the lawyer continues, reminding him that he was a “leader” and that every such word he spoke can be interpreted “incorrectly”.
Eventually, Pascal Zaida, the chairman of the police force, the coordinator of civil society organizations for the fatherland, was released “and returned home”.
Several civil society organizations had demanded the release of Pascal Zaida and condemned an attack on freedom of expression.
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