Mali's transitional president pardons French national Yann Vézilier, orders expulsion
Malian transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, has granted a presidential pardon to French national Yann Christian Bernard Vézilier, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for undermining the external security of the state. The decision was announced on Thursday, August 13, 2026, by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Brigadier General Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, on national television. Transitional authorities stated that while the pardon was granted, it does not negate the facts established against Vézilier during a trial where his defense rights were respected. The government also specified that the pardon includes Vézilier's immediate expulsion from Malian territory. The transitional executive emphasized that the judicial process was respected and the trial was conducted without interference, aligning with efforts to promote good governance, the rule of law, separation of powers, and judicial independence. The government acknowledged the discreet support of a "brotherly country" whose diplomatic efforts contributed to this outcome. The Malian government and people expressed gratitude to General Assimi Goïta for this gesture, viewing it as a sign of commitment to peace, dialogue, and the values of forgiveness and hospitality. Vézilier, described by Malian authorities as a French intelligence agent, was arrested in August 2025 in connection with an alleged attempt to destabilize transitional institutions and was convicted on June 4, 2026, in
