Mali’s president, Assimi Goïta, has granted a pardon to French national Yann Vezilier, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year for allegedly orchestrating a coup against the country.
Authorities said Vezilier had acted on behalf of the French intelligence service, but the evidence used in court was deemed insufficient by Mali’s judges.
The pardon comes amid escalating security tensions as Islamist insurgents continue to threaten stability across Mali, prompting the junta to seek foreign support beyond its colonial past.
While French officials have not commented, Mali’s government announced that the clemency will not alter the findings of the criminal trial and will immediately expel Vezilier from national territory.
Some analysts interpret the decision as a move to recalibrate Mali’s foreign relations and negotiate with Western partners.
