Burkina Faso has not ruled out prosecuting deposed president Blaise Compaore in connection with the murder of his iconic predecessor Thomas Sankara in 1987, the country's military justice chief told reporters Friday.

"For now, former president Blaise Compaore is not being persued (in the Sankara case), but is is not ruled out that it could happen," said Colonel Sita Sangare.

Sankara, a revolutionary figure who is still a hero to many in west Africa, was killed in mysterious circumstances.