Mali Pardons French National Sentenced To 20 Years

Mali President Assimi Goita has pardoned a French national who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly taking part in a plot to destabilise the country, according to an official statement on Thursday.

Yann Vezilier was accused by Malian authorities of involvement in the alleged plot last year on behalf of French intelligence services. France’s foreign ministry previously rejected the allegations, saying Vezilier was carrying out a security cooperation mission. The ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Thursday.

The Malian government said the pardon did not overturn the facts established during Vezilier’s conviction and ordered him to leave the country immediately.

The government spokesperson said Vezilier was tried and convicted following what the authorities described as a fair trial without interference.

The pardon comes amid deteriorating relations between France and its former West African colonies in the Sahel. Military governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have distanced themselves from Paris after seizing power in coups and demanded the withdrawal of French troops involved in counter-insurgency operations.

Mali has since ended its military cooperation with France and strengthened ties with Russia. Meanwhile, Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda have expanded their activities in Mali. The country experienced nationwide attacks in April that targeted several locations, including the main airport, and killed the defence minister.

SOURCE: Reuters