Burkina Faso has arrested eight workers from a Netherlands-based NGO, accusing them of espionage. The International NGO Safety Organization (INSO) had its operations suspended after being accused of collecting sensitive data without approval.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed on Tuesday that the organization’s activities had been under surveillance. He stated that, with help from citizens, authorities uncovered that INSO was operating as an espionage network in the country.
The eight detainees include four foreign nationals—two French citizens, a Czech, and a Malian—as well as four Burkina Faso citizens. INSO had been working in the country since 2019, before its suspension on July 31.
Investigations revealed that INSO gathered data on military routes, the positions of security forces, and contacts with armed groups.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed on Tuesday that the organization’s activities had been under surveillance. He stated that, with help from citizens, authorities uncovered that INSO was operating as an espionage network in the country.
The eight detainees include four foreign nationals—two French citizens, a Czech, and a Malian—as well as four Burkina Faso citizens. INSO had been working in the country since 2019, before its suspension on July 31.
Investigations revealed that INSO gathered data on military routes, the positions of security forces, and contacts with armed groups.
