Ivory Coast: A vice-president of Laurent Gbagbo's party is in prison, prosecuted for "terrorist acts"

All the leaders of the PPA-CI are now essentially walking prisoners on probation. This is the conviction of the party of former president Laurent Gbagbo, the PPA-CI. To support this assertion, the opposition party cites, in particular, the recent imprisonment of its vice-president, Justin Koné Katinan.

Former minister under the presidency of Laurent Gbagbo, between 2000 and 2011, Justin Koné Katinan did indeed spend his first night in detention between Friday and Saturday.

According to a statement from the public prosecutor, the accused faces at least nine charges, including "terrorist acts." The prosecution is notably linked to the unrest surrounding the October 2025 presidential election.

Before his incarceration, the PPA-CI official was questioned by investigators on Wednesday. Following this questioning, a judicial investigation was opened against him, accompanied by a warrant for his arrest.

"This prosecution is irregular and illegal. It is in total violation of the Penal Code," denounced Justin Koné Katinan's lawyer, Roselyne Serikpa.

Alongside this procedure, Justin Koné Katinan is also the subject of a complaint filed by the RHDP, the ruling party, which accuses him of defamation and spreading false news.

This complaint followed statements by the opposition figure accusing the ruling party of being behind the rise in illegal gold mining, an issue that has sparked heated debate in the country recently. According to the prosecutor, the complaint will be heard in criminal court.

Cheick Omar Ouedraogo