The French government has authorised the extradition of the brother of Burkina Faso's former leader Blaise Compaore to face prosecution in his homeland over the murder of a journalist, the prime minister's office told AFP on Thursday. The extradition decree is for Francois Compaore, one of the most disliked figures in his brother's former regime. He is wanted back home over the 1998 killing of investigative journalist Norbert Zongo in Burkina Faso. With the technical title of economic adviser but nicknamed "the little president", Compaore was among the most unpopular members of the regime of his brother, who was ousted in a popular revolt in October 2014 after trying to change the constitution to extend his 27-year grip on power. Zongo, 49, was investigating the death of Francois Compaore's chauffeur at the time of his death, and had written several hard-hitting articles about misrule in the Compaore regime. His charred body and those of three companions were found in a burnt-out car in southern Burkina Faso December 1998. Zongo's family has long accused Compaore of having had a hand in the killings, which triggered mass protests in Burkina Faso and drew international condemnation. Compaore's lawyers argued against his extradition saying the charges he faces in Burkina Faso do not exist in France, and warned he could face the death penalty. edy-jmt-ctx-ab/pvh/har