Mr Compaoré is among the 14 accused but he is currently in exile in neighbouring Ivory Coast, where he fled after being forced to resign during mass protests in 2014. He has repeatedly denied involvement in Sankara’s death and is boycotting the trial.
The trial had been suspended after the most recent coup on January 24th ousting President Roch Kaboré after failing to deal with the threat of islamic terror groups violently attacking people in the countries North.
Since the coup the Sanaka trial, watched closely by the Burkabe people, had been paused until the constitution had been restored a week later.
*Feature shot for AFP