Burkina Faso restores death penalty for terrorism, treason, espionage

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Burkina Faso has reinstated the death penalty for crimes, including terrorism, treason, and espionage, under a revised penal code approved by the government.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala said the adopted law, part of broader judicial reforms, aims to deliver justice that “meets the deep aspirations of the people,” according to a presidency statement on US social media platform Facebook on Thursday.

Fines for all offenses, including misdemeanors and felonies, have been doubled under the new law, with minimum penalties rising from 250,000 CFA francs (about $445) to 500,000 CFA francs (about $890).

In cases of economic crimes such as embezzlement and corruption, the revised code stipulates life imprisonment for those found guilty when the amount involved exceeds or equals 5 billion CFA francs (approximately $8.9 million), Bayala said.