Burkina Faso probes death of 12 suspects in custody

A local prosecutor in the east of Burkina Faso says an inquiry has been opened after 12 people detained on suspicion of terrorism were found dead in their police cells.

They were reported to be among 25 suspects from the ethnic Fula community who were being held in the town of Fada N'Gourma.

Burkina Faso's security forces, as well as vigilante groups, have been accused of killing Fula civilians in revenge after jihadist violence.

Human rights activists say a Fula teacher was found dead two weeks ago at a police station in the capital, Ouagadougou, and several Fula have recently disappeared.