Commission probes journalist’s death

A grouping of civic organisations and opposition parties in Burkina Faso set up an independent commission yesterday to investigate the death of journalist Norbert Zongo in unclear circumstances earlier in December, Reuters reported. In a statement, the commission said it would take the opportunity to investigate “all other unpunished crimes in Burkina Faso” adding that it would draft a report with recommendations on how to proceed in Zongo’s case.

Meanwhile, the Paris-based press watchdog, Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), criticised the police for the way they were handling the inquiry into Zongo’s death. RSF said the police had not performed an autopsy, had not questioned witnesses or Zongo’s family and had not compiled a report on the car in which Zongo’s body was found. Zongo and three other people were found burned to death in a car near the capital, Ouagadougou.
Zongo was an editor of the weekly ‘L’Independent’ and was known for his critical views of the government. His death prompted demonstrations in several towns in Burkina Faso.