Two Ivorian soldiers have been jailed for 10 years for having associated with the perpetrators of a beach attack that left 19 people dead in March. A military court found sergeants Zanga Zoumana Coulibaly and Brice Toure guilty late Thursday of associating with criminals and disobeying orders. The charges relate to the pair's meeting with Assane Barry, also known as Sam, one of the main suspects in the Islamist attack on the resort town of Grand Bassam. Barry, a driver by profession, is awaiting trial in a civilian court on charges of terrorism and association with criminals.
The tribunal adhered to the military prosecutor's sentencing recommendation for the two soldiers, which also included a fine of 200,000 CFA francs ($330, 300 euros).