Lawmaker jailed for fake news

An Ivorian MP and ex-sports minister who tweeted fake mews early in January has been sentenced to one year in jail and fined $520 (£400).

Alain Lobognan, detained on January 15, had tweeted on 9 January that the state prosecutor had ordered the arrest of a fellow MP.

But the prosecutor said this was not the case and the tweet had caused demonstrations and violent clashes.

Lobognan, however, believes the case is politically motivated.

His lawyer, Affoussiata Bamba Lamine, said the MP intends to appeal against the verdict.

She added that it was clearly a political trial as her client was close to Guillaume Soro, a former rebel leader and prime minster, who is now the speaker of the National Assembly.

Soro is alsi gunning for presidency in 2020.

Mr Soro and President Alassane Ouattara have recently fallen out ahead of elections scheduled for next year.

On Monday, Mr Ouattara told journalists that Mr Soro would be stepping down next month as parliamentary speaker.