Mali's former intelligence chief sentenced to 15 years for conspiracy against the government
via SeneNews10 min read
Colonel-Major Kassoum Goïta, former director of State Security in Mali, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Bamako Assize Court. He was found guilty of criminal association and conspiracy against the government following a ten-day trial. Colonel-Major Goïta was accused of participating in a plot to attempt a coup d'état and destabilize institutions. During the trial, he denied the charges and accused the ruling junta of corruption and having him tortured. Goïta was appointed intelligence chief after the 2020 overthrow of elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, an event in which the current head of the junta, General Assimi Goïta, participated. The article clarifies that the two men are not related. Following a second coup in 2021, led by Assimi Goïta, a "purge" occurred during which Kassoum Goïta and others were arrested, according to their lawyers at the time. Six individuals were prosecuted in total, all denying the charges, and received sentences ranging from 7 to 15 years in prison. Defense lawyers stated they were not surprised by the verdict and plan to exhaust all national legal procedures before pursuing other avenues. The accused were also ordered to pay a symbolic franc in damages.
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