Government to bring Zongo's killers to trial

In a weekend address designed to cool public temper, President Blaise Compaore announced that the Burkinabe government would take every necessary measure to bring to trial the killers of local investigative journalist Norbert Zongo.

Zongo's death on 13 December sparked massive demonstrations in the country in recent months and, in his address Compaore also intimated that protesters who had been detained would be freed.

"In our concern for appeasement, I call on the government to proceed with the release of all the arrested persons who were caught red-handed in acts of vandalism and violence," Compaore said on Friday, "with the exception of those facing legal suit in line with the complaints lodged with the courts."

Compaore said the examining magistrate would be given the necessary materials, and be relieved of all other duties, to conduct his investigation into Zongo's death.

The government will also be asked to speed up the case relating to David Ouedraogo - whose death Zongo was investigating when he, too, was killed - and punish anyone found guilty.