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Burkina Faso has welcomed the decision of the highest French court approving the extradition of François Compaoré. The brother of the deposed president, Blaise Compaoré, is being prosecuted for the murder of a journalist in 1998.
François Compaoré was arrested in Paris in October 2017 on an international arrest warrant. He is wanted for "inciting" the death of an investigative journalist, Norbert Zongo, whose body was found, along with three others, in a car burned in southern Burkina Faso in December 1998.
Zongo was investigating the murder of a driver who worked for Francois Compaore and had written several hard-hitting articles about mismanagement under the Compaore regime.
Blaise Compaore was ousted during a popular uprising in October 2014 after attempting to amend the constitution in order to extend his reign of 27 years. His brother was the president's economic advisor and had become one of the most hated personalities of the government.
Zongo's family has long accused Compaoré of being involved in the murders, which sparked protests in Burkina Faso.
François Compaoré's lawyers argued against his extradition, claiming that the accusations against him in Burkina Faso do not exist in France, and warning him that he risked the death penalty.
French President Emmanuel Macron must still sign a decree authorizing extradition.
During a trip to Burkina Faso in November 2017, Macron said that he "would do everything to facilitate" Compaoré 's extradition.
Tuesday's decision by the highest French court validated the decision of a lower court. It is also possible to appeal this decision to the State Council, which decides on constitutional matters.
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