Mali pardons Frenchman jailed 20 years over alleged coup plot
A Frenchman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mali for plotting an alleged coup in the West African country has now been granted a presidential pardon, it was announced on Thursday.
A Frenchman, Yann Vezilier, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mali for allegedly plotting a coup, has been granted a presidential pardon. The pardon was announced on Thursday, though the reasoning behind the change is unclear. According to Mali's government, the pardon does not question the facts established during the trial, where all rights of the defense were respected.
Vezilier was accused of attempting to destabilize President Assimi Goïta's government "on behalf of the French intelligence service." However, France's foreign ministry has previously stated that accusations suggesting Vezilier was working as a French spy in Mali are "unfounded." The Malian government also stated that the pardon accompanies Vezilier's immediate removal from national territory.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
