Boukan Faso's military government has announced the detention of eight members of a Dutch-based humanitarian organization, accusing them of espionage and treason. Among those arrested are three Europeans, a Malian, and four Burkinabé, including the NGO's country director and deputy.

The country's Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, stated that the organization had supposedly collected and shared sensitive security information that could jeopardize national security and transfer it to foreign entities. The International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) has firmly denied these allegations.

According to Anthony Neal, a representative of INSO, the organization had its country director detained since July, with the remaining seven workers arrested later. The NGO was officially suspended for three months for alleged unauthorized data collection.

Despite confirming their suspension, the junta claimed members of the NGO continued clandestine information-gathering activities. Neal has refuted this, emphasizing that while information collection ceased, staff remained to address ongoing matters related to the detentions.

He further highlighted their operations have been transparent to the Burkinabé authorities, which signaled awareness and support regarding their mission since 2019.

Burkina Faso's military government, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traore, has strained relations with Western nations following a coup that occurred three years ago. The government has shifted its alliances towards Russia, particularly in response to escalating violence from jihadist groups in the region, leading to significant concerns over human rights abuses against civilians.