The Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorist Offenses (CRIET) has again postponed the examination of Police Commissioner Delcoz Kindjanhoundé's case, which was scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026. The examination of the Commissioner's case was not settled on this date before the CRIET, marking a continued delay in the proceedings. This marks the second time the CRIET has deferred the proceedings in this particular case. The procedure against Commissioner Kindjanhoundé began several months ago, with the trial itself having formally opened on February 9, 2026. The case was due for a new stage after multiple hearings focused on the charges leveled against the officer, but these have been subject to repeated delays.
Charges and Background
The police commissioner is being prosecuted in a case stemming from the diffusion of a video on social networks following political and security events in December 2025. In the video, Commissioner Kindjanhoundé publicly attacked the power of Patrice Talon, then President of the Republic, and called for mobilization against the authorities. The content of the video prompted swift action from the authorities. Delcoz Kindjanhoundé was arrested on December 9, 2025, and subsequently placed in preventive detention as investigations commenced. The special prosecutor's office at the CRIET accuses him of several serious offenses, including incitement to hatred and rebellion, incitement to civil disobedience, and attempted destabilization of institutions. These charges show the gravity with which the authorities are treating the commissioner's actions. The judicial procedure follows a failed coup attempt on December 7, 2025, in Benin. The video attributed to the commissioner was widely shared on social networks in the days following the coup attempt, amplifying its impact and the subsequent legal response.
Procedural Delays
The previous postponement of the proceedings was specifically requested by the defense team representing Commissioner Kindjanhoundé, indicating a strategic move to prepare their case. The hearing was subsequently adjourned to June 15, allowing the public prosecutor's office time to examine a document that had been submitted. This document was central to the ongoing legal process. On June 15, Me Julien Togbadja joined the defense team representing Commissioner Kindjanhoundé, adding new legal expertise to his representation. Following this, the Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorist Offenses (CRIET) granted the lawyer a necessary delay to familiarize himself with the extensive case file, which contained numerous details and evidence. The case was then oriented towards a deliberation that had been scheduled for July 13. However, this deadline was further pushed back to August 17 at the request of the defense, noting the persistent efforts by the legal team to ensure thorough preparation.
Defendant's Stance
On April 20, Commissioner Delcoz Kindjanhoundé submitted a written note to the judges detailing the motivations behind his statement in the controversial video. In his defense, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges but acknowledged that he was indeed the author of the video in question. He stated that he spoke "as a simple citizen," attempting to frame his actions as an individual expression rather than an official act. The police officer also referenced his experience in the north of the country, where he had been deployed to combat terrorism, suggesting his actions were informed by his understanding of the nation's security challenges. Before the CRIET, Commissioner Kindjanhoundé further stated, "I saw men die at the front," in reference to his service, aiming to convey the personal sacrifices and experiences that shaped his perspective.
CRIET Context
The Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorist Offenses (CRIET) was established by law n°2018-13, which was enacted on July 2, 2018. The special court is mandated to adjudicate a range of cases, including economic offenses, demonstrating its broad jurisdiction over financial crimes. Its jurisdiction also extends to matters concerning terrorism and organized crime, positioning it as a key institution for addressing serious threats to national security and stability. The CRIET is competent to judge these specific types of offenses. The CRIET's creation aimed to centralize the handling of such serious legal infractions within the judicial system, providing a specialized forum for complex and sensitive cases.