Gitega, Burundi – June 29, 2024 – Burundi’s Supreme Court has upheld the life sentence of former Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni, dashing his hopes for acquittal. Bunyoni, once a powerful figure in the regime, served as Prime Minister from 2020 to 2022 before being dismissed amidst allegations of a coup plot.
In December 2023, Bunyoni was sentenced to life imprisonment on a string of charges, including economic sabotage, threatening the president with witchcraft, and illegal enrichment. This verdict has now been affirmed by the Supreme Court.
“Supreme Court President Emmanuel Gateretse…confirmed the original sentence and imposed an additional fine of 22.7 billion Burundi francs (roughly $7.8 million),” reported a judicial source granted anonymity by AFP. “General Bunyoni’s undeclared assets will also be immediately confiscated.”
While Bunyoni retains the right to file a further appeal with the Supreme Court, a legal expert speaking on condition of anonymity noted that he had already pleaded not guilty to all charges during his appeal hearing in May.
