A Malian court has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to a French national accused of compromising national security. The individual, identified as Yann V., was detained in Bamako in August 2025 and convicted by the special counterterrorism chamber of Bamako’s criminal court.

The verdict also includes a 20-year ban on entering Mali and a fine equivalent to 5,400 euros. Authorities allege the man was apprehended during a joint operation with the Malian State Security service, despite being listed as a diplomat at the French Embassy in Bamako.

Alongside Yann V., several Malian military officers were arrested and subsequently expelled from the Armed Forces. They stand accused of involvement in a suspected espionage network aimed at undermining Mali’s transitional government and plotting a coup. Their trial is still pending.

France has vehemently denied the allegations, calling the accusations unfounded. In an official response, the French Foreign Ministry insisted that the individual was engaged in legitimate security cooperation efforts. The government in Paris firmly denied any role in destabilizing Mali, either directly or indirectly.

This ruling has deepened existing diplomatic strains between Bamako and Paris. Following the arrest, France suspended all counterterrorism cooperation with Mali and expelled two Malian diplomats from its territory.

Relations between the two nations have steadily worsened since military leaders took power following the 2020 and 2021 coups. The Malian transitional authorities have progressively distanced themselves from Western partners, particularly France, while increasingly aligning with Russia on political and security matters.