Justin Koné Katinan faces terrorism charges in Côte d’Ivoire

Justin Koné Katinan, the fourth vice-president of the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), is facing legal proceedings in Abidjan involving charges of terrorism, conspiracy against state authority, and participation in an insurrectionary movement. The charges stem from alleged actions during the 2025 presidential election campaign.

The French Communist Party (PCF) has called for Katinan's release, condemning his arrest. The PCF argues that the case represents a “criminalization of the opposition,” noting that the legal matter transitioned from a defamation complaint filed by the ruling RHDP party to an antiterrorism investigation after Katinan criticized the government's role in illegal gold mining.

In response to allegations of illegal detention, the Abidjan public prosecutor, Koné Braman, stated that Katinan was “regularly summoned” and that custody limits were respected. The prosecutor also contested Katinan's status as a former minister, arguing that the ordinance regarding the government in which he served is no longer valid. He clarified that the prosecution is based on events from the 2025 election period rather than the initial RHDP complaint.