Mali Appeal Court Upholds Prison Sentence of Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara
An appeal court in Mali has upheld the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Moussa Mara, following his conviction over an online statement expressing support for political prisoners.
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The ruling, delivered on Monday, confirms an earlier judgment that found Mara guilty after he publicly voiced solidarity with detained political figures on social media. Authorities argued that his comments violated existing laws governing public expression and political conduct.
Mara, who served as Mali’s prime minister from 2014 to 2015, was sentenced after prosecutors accused him of undermining public order through his online remarks. His legal team had appealed the decision, insisting that his statements were an exercise of free expression and political opinion.
The appeal court, however, dismissed the arguments and affirmed the original sentence, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance on restrictions surrounding political commentary.
The decision has sparked renewed debate among civil society groups and international observers over freedom of expression and the shrinking political space in Mali, particularly under the current military-led transition.
Supporters of the former prime minister have described the ruling as politically motivated, while authorities maintain that the law was applied strictly and without bias.
Mali Appeal Court Upholds Prison Sentence of Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara