Burkina Faso Volunteer Fighters Face Lengthy Jail Terms for Murder and Abuse
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In a rare move, six civilian volunteers fighting alongside Burkina Faso's army have been convicted of serious crimes, including murder and corpse mutilation. The volunteers, who were recruited to help the army combat a long-running jihadist insurgency, face prison sentences ranging from two to 11 years. According to judicial sources, four volunteers were sentenced to prison terms of two to three years for mutilating a corpse, while two others received 11-year sentences, with some of the time suspended. The convictions stem from an incident in which three individuals were detained at a checkpoint and later found dead by local residents. The convictions have raised concerns about allegations of abuse committed by both the regular army and volunteer forces against civilians. Burkina Faso's military authorities have consistently denied such allegations, despite facing criticism for their handling of the insurgency. The jihadist insurgency has plagued Burkina Faso for over a decade, and the country's military junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, has struggled to contain the violence. Despite the junta's promise to end the spiral of violence, the jihadists continue to expand their influence across the desert nation.
