A French man arrested for spying charges

Mali’s military rulers say they have arrested a French citizen on suspicion of spying on his country in an attempt to destabilize the African nation.

In a statement read on national television at the end of Thursday, the junta claims that Jan Vesille works “on behalf of the French Intelligence Service.” A vesselier is yet to comment on the prosecution.

His photo was also broadcast, along with those of a number of army generals Arrested recently for being claimed to have planned to overthrow the military governmentS

“The conspiracy was linked to the arrests of the participants,” Mali Gen Daud’s Security Minister Ali Mohammedin said at the television address.

France, the former colonial ruler of Mali, also has not yet commented on the arrest of the man and the allegations of destabilization.

The West African nation is covered by a security crisis, fed by the 2012 Islamist rebellion – one of the reasons given for military absorption, but the attacks of jihadist groups continue and even increase.

After days of speculation about the alleged coup plot, Gen. Mohammedin confirmed that “elements of fringe of Mali Armed Security Forces” had been detained to search for “destabilization of the institutions of the Republic”.

“It is claimed that these soldiers and civilians” have received “the assistance of foreign countries,” the minister said.

The French national was acting “on behalf of the French Intelligence Service, which mobilizes political leaders, participants in civil society and military in Mali, the minister added.

He also confirmed the arrest of two army generals, including Gen Abbas Dembele, a former governor of the Mop region, who was recently fired from his position.

So far, at least 55 soldiers have been arrested in connection with the alleged coup attempt, security sources told AFP.

Gen Mohammedin said a full investigation was being conducted to identify “possible accomplices” and that “the situation is completely under control.”

Political tensions have increased in recent weeks, which has been arrested by former Prime Minister Musa Mara and Chogyel Maiga for accusations of injuring the state’s reputation and misappropriation.

Mara, a recent candid critic of the military government, has been in detention on August 1While Maiga faces court sanctions.

In May, the junta opened all political parties after rare anti -government protests, which Mara described as a serious blow to reconciliation initiated by military leaders last year.

Junta leader Gen Assimi Goa, who seized power both in 2020 and in 2021, promised the election last year, but they were never held.

In July, The transition period was extended by five yearsclearing it to continue leading the country until at least 2030.

Along with his neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso, he joined the help of Russian allies to master jihadist attacks in the region after violating ties with France – but there are no significant security improvements.