In gesture to Paris, Mali pardons convicted French agent

Mali's junta chief on Thursday pardoned a French intelligence agent serving a 20 year jail term, a rare conciliatory gesture following years of tension between the west African nation and its former colonial ruler.In gesture to Paris, Mali pardons convicted French agentThe decision came as Mali's military authorities h

Mali says 82 soldiers held captive since deadly attacks in April have been freed by armed groups, in a rare breakthrough as the country battles jihadist and rebel insurgencies. The junta also pardoned a French embassy official accused of spying and ordered his expulsion.

The release of Yann Vezilier, who had been officially accredited by the Malian authorities as an officer of France's foreign intelligence agency, follows several months of diplomatic negotiations.

The release of Yann Vezilier, who had been officially accredited by the Malian authorities as an officer of France's foreign intelligence agency, follows several months of diplomatic negotiations.

France is yet to comment on Yann Vezilier's pardon and previously called the accusations "unfounded".

BAMAKO, Aug 13 - Mali President Assimi Goita has pardoned a French man who was sentenced in June to 20 years in prison for his alleged involvement in a plot to destabilize the country, an official statement said on Thursday.

A French ​national sentenced ​in Mali to 20 years in prison ​has ‌been pardoned ⁠by the West ‌African country's President Assimi Goïta, ⁠an official statement showed on Thursday. Yann ​Vézilier, an official from the French embassy, was ‌accused by Mali's military-led government of involvement ‌in a plot ​to destabilise