Ouagadougou: The criminal chamber of the Ouaga 2 High Court has postponed the judgment in the case of the assassination of former minister Viviane Compaor© to March 13, 2026, pending the production of an expert report on the mental health of the accused at the time of the events, AIB observed on Friday.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the lawyer for the accused, Yannick Bougouma, who is being prosecuted for the assassination of former minister Viviane Compaor© and for aggravated robbery, requested and obtained a psychiatric evaluation from the court. This was based on doubts about his client's mental state at the time of the events. Mr. Sosth¨ne Dabir©, representing the defense, highlighted that the review of the case file and discussions with his client revealed elements questioning the defendant's mental state. He emphasized that a defendant's mental state can significantly impact the trial's outcome, particularly concerning criminal responsibility.

Mr. Dabir© welcomed the court's decision to order the expert evaluation, considering that it "has upheld the law." He mentioned that this request strengthens the rights of the accused, particularly the right to a defense and the presumption of innocence, adding that the expertise would aid in revealing the truth. The prosecution, however, opposed this request, stating that it added no value to the case. They argued that the accused has been consistent in his statements, admitting to the facts and explaining them in detail without any apparent inconsistencies.

The civil party had no objection to the request, provided it contributed to establishing the truth. The hearing is set to resume on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Ouaga 2 High Court. The accused, aged 26, is a homeless shop assistant, arrested on January 13, 2026, at a train station in Gounghin during a preliminary investigation. Initially, he denied the charges but eventually confessed. It is noteworthy that the victim is the accused's paternal grandmother.