Key facts
- Mali's President Assimi Goïta has pardoned French national Yann Vezilier.
- Vezilier was sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly plotting to destabilize Mali.
- Mali accused Vezilier of acting on behalf of French intelligence services.
- France previously denied accusations that Vezilier was a spy, stating he was on a security mission.
- Vezilier must leave Mali immediately as part of the pardon.
Mali's President Assimi Goïta has pardoned French national Yann Vezilier, who had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a plot to destabilize the country. The Malian government stated that Vezilier, accused of acting on behalf of French intelligence services, must leave Mali immediately. The French foreign ministry had previously denied these accusations, asserting Vezilier was on a security cooperation mission. The Malian government clarified that the pardon does not negate the conviction's established facts and that Vezilier received a fair trial. Relations between Mali and France have deteriorated significantly since military coups in Mali, leading to France's troop withdrawal and Mali seeking Russian support amid ongoing security challenges from Islamist insurgents.