Twenty years in prison was the sentence handed down on Friday, June 5th in Bamako by the Malian justice system against a French national. A French intelligence agent with diplomatic status at the French embassy in Bamako, he had been arrested in August 2025 and prosecuted for "undermining state security." Paris has always denied the charges.

According to our information, the trial of the French intelligence agent was held behind closed doors. He had a lawyer chosen by his superiors. A member of the Malian Bar Association, the lawyer, wearing a black robe, testified that his client was not involved in any "attempt to destabilize Malian institutions." This line of defense is also that of the French authorities.

The French intelligence agent, who held diplomatic status, never concealed his activities. In August 2025, while traveling in Bamako, he was abducted by masked and armed men. A few days later, national television broadcast his photograph and announced that he had been involved in an "attempt to destabilize the institutions."

Other Malian military personnel, including two generals, were also arrested in the same case. Only the Frenchman has been tried. This has led observers to ask questions. Are we witnessing a further deterioration in relations between Bamako and Paris? Or is a presidential pardon conceivable? According to our information, shortly before his trial, the French national received a visit from a foreign dignitary at his place of detention, with prior authorization.