Mali Jails French Embassy Official for 20 Years Over Alleged “Plot to Undermine National Security
A court in Mali has sentenced a French embassy staff member to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of spying and actions deemed to threaten national security.
The official, identified as Yann V., was arrested in August 2025 and has since remained in detention pending trial.
The court also imposed a fine of 5,400 euros (about $6,225) and issued a 20-year ban on his entry into Mali.
Authorities accused him of working on behalf of French intelligence services and engaging in activities intended to destabilize the country.
He was also linked, at the time of his arrest, to alleged efforts described by officials as attempts to undermine state security.
His detention came alongside that of several Malian nationals accused of involvement in a suspected coup plot, further intensifying political tensions surrounding the case.
The French government has rejected the allegations, insisting the diplomat was carrying out a legitimate security cooperation assignment.
The foreign ministry described the accusations as baseless, saying he had been “implicated in legal proceedings involving unfounded allegations.”
France also denied any involvement in destabilization efforts, stating that its personnel in Mali were engaged solely in official duties and not in any covert operations.
The ruling adds to already strained relations between Bamako and Paris, which have faced repeated diplomatic friction in recent years over security and military cooperation in the region.
