Burkina Faso provisionally frees ex-ruling party head

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – A military tribunal in Burkina Faso says it has provisionally released the chairman of the country’s former ruling party pending further investigations into a short-lived September coup.

Military tribunal director Col. Sita Sangare said Eddie Komboigo was provisionally released Monday from a military prison in Ouagadougou, the capital. Komboigo was arrested in January on accusations of being involved in the coup staged by security guards for former President Blaise Compaore against the transition government before elections.

Sangare said Komboigo still faces charges, and others accused remain in prison as investigations continue.

Compaore stepped down in October 2014 after 27-years in office because of a popular uprising.

Roch Marc Christian Kabore was elected president in November, and has promised a fair trial for those involved in the coup.