BNI produces key Gbagbo ally in court

Justin Kone Katinan

The Bureau of National Investigations has produced in court Justin Kone Katinan, the key ally of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, who has been in their custody for a while now.

Mr. Katinan was arrested in Accra last week upon a request from the Ivorian government to be extradited to face prosecution for war crimes committed during the recent post-election violence.

An Accra Human Rights Court, Friday morning, adjourned the case to next Wednesday after Mr. Katinan was presented before it.

His lawyer, Patrick Sorgbodjor told Joy News they are eager to argue next Wednesday on why the BNI would have to release Mr. Katinan.

“Normally what should have happened is that arguments would have been held with regards to the legality or otherwise of our client's detention.

“To do this the other side would have had to file certain processes. They filed those processes this morning but the judge has not had time to look at those processes.

“On the basis of that, the case has been adjourned to Wednesday by which time the court would have appraised itself of all the facts of the various processes."

The adjournment means the suspect will have to stay a while longer in the custody of the BNI, a situation Sorgbordjor regreted but admitted there is nothing he could do about it.

He said his client is in fairly good health and coping under the circumstances.