Former Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro has been put on trial in absentia. He is charged with masterminding a coup to depose President Alassane Ouattara.
Soro was not present in court but his defence counsel proved effective as they challenged the lawsuit and asked for more time to assess the charges against their client and others.
The trial has now been postponed to the 26th of May, as Soro’s lawyers expressed their reservations about the objectivity of the case. They said there’s no evidence to finger Soro as a conspirator in the alleged coup.
Former rebel leader, Soro is in Europe on exile and currently has a 20-year jail term against him for corrupt practices.
In 2010, he was a close associate of current President, Ouattara leading the rebellion that ensured the emergence of the President.
He thereafter became Speaker of Parliament and Ivory Coast’s Prime Minister before both men clashed over ambitions.
Ouattara’s failure to accept Soro’s Presidential desires ensured both men are not on good terms with some violence ensuing in the Cocoa-rich West African nation as a result.