KOUPÉLA – A court in Koupéla has handed down sentences to six individuals linked to operating prostitution rings. On Tuesday morning, March 5, 2024, these defendants stood trial at the High Court of Koupéla, facing charges related to harboring individuals engaging in prostitution within residential properties.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the accused were predominantly hosting foreign nationals, along with some locals, offering them accommodation for their activities in exchange for daily rentals ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 CFA francs.
During the trial, all defendants acknowledged their actions but claimed ignorance of the legality of their business operations. They also conceded to the immoral nature of their employment tied to the sex trade. Pursuant to article 533-27 of the penal code, the prosecutor sought a 12-month prison sentence for each, including a mandatory fine ranging from 750,000 to 3 million CFA francs. The court ultimately imposed a 12-month suspended sentence on each defendant, accompanied by a fine within the requested range. Additionally, failure to pay the fine would result in a 3-month custodial sentence. Furthermore, the court mandated the permanent shutdown of the implicated prostitution venues.