Blaise Lasm trial delayed again
Ivory Coast court postpones hearing for detained PPA-CI official until November 16
The trial of Blaise Lasm, deputy secretary-general of the PPA-CI party, was postponed again on Monday, November 9, 2026. The Abidjan-Plateau Court of First Instance rescheduled the hearing for November 16, extending the detention of the political official who has been held since September 30, 2025.
The prosecution requested the delay, stating they were not ready to proceed, despite Lasm having been detained for over 13 months. Lasm's defense had argued for his release, citing a procedural delay where his case dossier was sent to the prosecution on September 14 and he was not presented to judges until October 19, exceeding the one-month legal limit for detained defendants.
Lasm, originally charged with terrorism-related offenses, received a partial dismissal on those charges in September. He now faces charges including disturbing public order, conspiracy against state authority, and inciting insurrection, yet his case is still being heard by the anti-terrorism chamber. Another PPA-CI official, Dahi Nestor Douhouré, also detained since September 30, 2025, has his case set for November 16.
Why it mattersBlaise Lasm, a political figure in Ivory Coast, remains in detention as his trial is repeatedly postponed.