Togo opposition figure charged over market fires

Jean-Pierre Fabre of Togo's opposition National Alliance for Change (ANC) speaks to supporters in Lome on July 21, 2012. By Emile Kouton (AFP)

LOME, Togo (AFP) - Togolese authorities have charged a prominent political opponent of President Faure Gnassingbe over two recent market fires in the West African nation, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Jean-Pierre Fabre and another opposition official, Abass Kaboua, were "charged with complicity in destruction of public goods and conspiracy" over the January market fires, Fabre's lawyer Dodji Apevon told AFP.

Public prosecutor Essolissam Poyodi confirmed Fabre had been charged on Tuesday night.

The charges come ahead of expected parliamentary elections, though a date has not yet been set.

Fabre, who finished second in 2010 presidential elections, is among a list of opposition figures named in connection with the market fire probe.

Fabre declared his innocence on Wednesday and alleged the probe was aimed at "eliminating opponents from the political landscape."

Judicial sources say at least 31 people, most of them members of the opposition, have been charged over the fires.

The opposition has previously called the probe politically motivated in a country run by the same family for more than four decades.

Togo was due to hold parliamentary elections before the end of this month, but the polls have been delayed and a new date has not yet been announced.

The two market fires in January did not cause any injuries but led to signficant property damage.