Ouahigouya: The Ouahigouya High Court (TGI) held an extraordinary criminal hearing on June 28, 29, and 30, 2025. Defendants involved in a demonstration in the commune of Boussou were tried at this hearing. At the end of the hearing, the court handed down suspended prison sentences and fines, acquittals on the grounds of doubt, and orders to pay all costs.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the case involved 38 defendants prosecuted for acts related to the demonstrations that took place on May 7 and 9, 2025, in the commune of Boussou, Zondoma province. They appeared before the judges of the Ouahigouya High Court for six offenses: organization and participation in an unlawful demonstration, incitement to demonstrate, vandalism, and aggravated insult to the national flag and law enforcement officers. At the opening of the extraordinary hearing, the defendants responded individually to the various charges in the presence of their lawyers.
The events date back to May 7 and 9, 2025, when residents of several villages organized a demonstration in the town’s main town without prior authorization. This resulted in acts of vandalism against the district police station and the Boussou town hall, the lowering of the national flag in broad daylight, and insults against public officials and law enforcement. The defendants, who came from various socio-professional categories, were defended by the office of Mr. Tougma Jean Charles.
Most of the defendants denied having committed an offense against the national flag, prompting the prosecution to attempt to establish their guilt. In his closing remarks, Deputy Public Prosecutor Arnaud Mar© highlighted the illegal nature of the demonstration, the incitement and participation of some defendants, and called for sanctions. He took this opportunity to raise awareness among the defendants of the seriousness of their actions, describing the trial as an educational exercise aimed at deterring similar behavior.
Aware of their actions, the defendants pleaded for clemency from the court and asked forgiveness from the Burkinabe nation and its representatives.
At the end of two days of trial, the court, under the presidency of the vice-president of the TGI of Ouahigouya, Mahamed Di©lo, ruling publicly, contradictorily, in correctional matters and at first instance, acquitted twenty-four defendants for non-constituted offense.
Fourteen others were found guilty of incitement to commit an offense and participation in an illegal demonstration. They were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of three hundred thousand CFA francs, all suspended. They were also ordered to pay all legal costs and must bear all court fees.