Presidential pardon for French alleged spy accused of plotting Mali coup
France is yet to comment on Yann Vezilier's pardon and previously called the accusations "unfounded".
A Frenchman, Yann Vezilier, has been granted a presidential pardon by Mali's President Assimi Goïta, reports announced on Thursday. Vezilier was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly plotting a coup in Mali on behalf of the French intelligence service, along with several army generals and dozens of soldiers, according to prosecutors.
The reason for Mali's decision to pardon Vezilier is unclear. France's foreign ministry has not commented on the pardoning, previously stating that accusations against Vezilier of working as a French spy in Mali were unfounded. The Malian government confirmed the pardon in a Facebook post, stating that the act does not question the facts established by a court judgment, and the individual will be removed from national territory.
Mali has been facing a security crisis since 2012, fueled by an Islamist insurgency. In 2021, Goïta led a coup, and attacks by jihadist groups have continued to increase.
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