A senior official of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo’s opposition party has been remanded in custody on charges including terrorism over unrest linked to the country’s 2025 presidential election.
Justin Kone Katinan, vice-president of the African Peoples’ Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) and a former minister under Gbagbo, was placed in custody following a judicial investigation, prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone said in a statement on Friday.
Kone said Katinan faces several charges, including terrorist acts and conspiracy against the state.
The development followed violence during the October 2025 presidential election, which was won by incumbent President Alassane Ouattara. At least 11 people were killed in the unrest.
Several dozen opposition activists, including senior party officials, were arrested or jailed following the violence, although some have since been released.
Katinan’s lawyer, Roselyne Serikpa, described the proceedings as unlawful.
“These proceedings are irregular and unlawful. They are in complete violation of the penal code,” she told AFP.
The PPA-CI had on Thursday accused authorities of setting a “judicial trap” for Katinan.
He was initially summoned by police on Wednesday over defamation allegations brought by the ruling party after he accused it of being responsible for the rise in illegal gold mining.
The latest charges have further heightened tensions between the Ivorian authorities and Gbagbo’s opposition movement.
