French national handed 20-year sentence in Bamako for alleged state security violations
A Malian court has sentenced a French national, identified as Yann V., to 20 years in prison after convicting him of endangering state security. The ruling, delivered by the Specialized Criminal Chamber for Terrorism Combat, follows his detention in Bamako since August 2025.
The verdict also includes a 20-year ban on re-entering Mali and a fine of €5,400. Authorities allege the man, who was reportedly accredited to the French Embassy in Bamako, was arrested during a joint operation with Mali’s State Security agency on August 13, 2025.
His arrest coincided with the detention of several Malian military officers, now dismissed from the armed forces. These officers are accused of involvement in an alleged espionage network and plot to destabilize Mali’s transitional government and orchestrate a coup. Their trial is still pending.
France denies involvement in destabilization efforts
Paris has strongly contested the allegations, calling the accusations baseless. The French Foreign Ministry stated that the man was engaged in legitimate security cooperation, denying any French involvement in plans to undermine Mali’s institutions. The case has further strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Following the arrest, France suspended its counterterrorism cooperation with Mali and expelled two Malian diplomats from its territory. Tensions between Bamako and Paris have escalated since the military-led governments took power after the 2020 and 2021 coups. Mali has since reduced cooperation with Western partners, particularly France, while strengthening ties with Russia.