Mali pardons Frenchman jailed 20 years over alleged coup plot

A Frenchman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mali for plotting an alleged coup in the West African country has now been granted a presidential pardon, it was announced on Thursday.

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.

Over 17 days, PREMIUM TIMES rolled out an exclusive 16-part series of revealing reports on the 2025 failed coup plot against the President Tinubu administration, uncovering missing pieces of the puzzle.

Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, accused in a coup plot against Tinubu, claims his actions were patriotic, citing Nigeria’s near collapse due to economic hardship

'I’m struggling to raise 5 children with my meager salary. I attended Army Day Secondary School. But today, how many of us afford to take our children to these schools'