Protestors jailed in Burkina Faso

The protests resulted in destruction of property

Burkina Faso's authorities have arrested 184 people following violent protests in major cities over increasing prices of basic commodities.

The government said Thibault Nana, the leader of a small opposition party, was among those arrested.

The protests which began on 20 February, turned violent and resulted in the destruction of property.

The protestors say the government has added taxes to basic goods, raising the cost of living.

But the finance minister denied the allegations, saying the government had removed duties on some imported goods.

Thibault Nana is accused of organising illegal protests in the capital Ouagadougou and calling for destruction.

The government says he called for a "Dead City Day" - a day of protests in Ouagadougou, asking traders and transport workers to bring the city to a standstill in protest against the price rises.

Protests were also held in Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora in the southwest as well as Ouahigouya in the north.

"There was an organised desire to destroy things," said Phillipe Sawadogo, a government spokesman. He said that some of the protestors had been caught red-handed.

In Bobo-Dioulasso, the second largest city, 29 people received jail terms ranging from three to 36 months.

Last month the government admitted that prices had gone up by between 10 and 65% and pledged to address the situation.