A French national, alleged to be an intelligence operative working under diplomatic cover, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by Malian courts for undermining state security. The verdict was delivered following a Thursday hearing before the specialized anti-terrorism criminal chamber in Bamako.

The defendant, identified as Yann V., received an additional 20-year ban from entering Mali and was fined €5,400. This judgment comes after a prolonged detention that began with his arrest in August 2025 during a joint operation conducted by Malian State Security forces.

According to Malian authorities, the arrest occurred alongside several officers from the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa). These military personnel were subsequently dismissed from their posts and now face charges of involvement in an espionage network aimed at destabilizing the Malian transitional government and plotting a coup. Their trial remains pending.

In response, French officials have vehemently denied all accusations against their national. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the allegations as baseless and emphasized that the individual was engaged in legitimate security cooperation activities. Paris firmly denies any role, direct or indirect, in efforts to destabilize Mali.

The case has significantly strained bilateral relations between the two nations. Following the arrest, France suspended its counterterrorism collaboration with Mali and expelled two Malian diplomats from its territory.

Relations between Bamako and Paris have deteriorated markedly since the military assumed power following the 2020 and 2021 coups. The Malian government has progressively scaled back cooperation with Western allies, particularly France, while simultaneously strengthening political and security ties with Russia.