PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Burkina Faso: Failed coup leader 'taken into custody'
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) – Brigadier-General Gilbert Diendéré, leader of the failed coup against the transitional government in Burkina Faso, has been arrested and taken into custody to face justice, official sources said on Thursday.
General Diendéré sought refuge in the Vatican embassy shortly after the attack launched by regular troops against his stronghold, the barracks of the presidential guards, who were behind the failed coup.
Violence linked to the coup claimed about one dozen lives and over 200 injured.
Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida said earlier on Thursday that General Diendéré's arrest was imminent.
"It’s only a question of hours and we will be able to take him back and bring him before the court," said Zida as he officiated at the reconvening of the courts, noting that Burkina Faso "respects" the diplomatic enclave of the Vatican.
"For this reason, we cannot violate it. We are negotiating so that he is handed back to us. But, we are aware of the fact that they need certain guarantees, particularly that his life is spared. We gave them that assurance," he said.
Tuesday's attack on the barracks of the presidential guards against ex-putschists, who had refused to be disarmed, was bloodless, said President Michel Kafando when he visited the camp on Wednesday.
-0- PANA MA 1Oct2015
General Diendéré sought refuge in the Vatican embassy shortly after the attack launched by regular troops against his stronghold, the barracks of the presidential guards, who were behind the failed coup.
Violence linked to the coup claimed about one dozen lives and over 200 injured.
Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac Zida said earlier on Thursday that General Diendéré's arrest was imminent.
"It’s only a question of hours and we will be able to take him back and bring him before the court," said Zida as he officiated at the reconvening of the courts, noting that Burkina Faso "respects" the diplomatic enclave of the Vatican.
"For this reason, we cannot violate it. We are negotiating so that he is handed back to us. But, we are aware of the fact that they need certain guarantees, particularly that his life is spared. We gave them that assurance," he said.
Tuesday's attack on the barracks of the presidential guards against ex-putschists, who had refused to be disarmed, was bloodless, said President Michel Kafando when he visited the camp on Wednesday.
-0- PANA MA 1Oct2015
