# Mali president pardons Frenchman accused of plotting coup

https://mins.news/en/item/21420

- BBC News, 2026-08-13 15:50 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2el29e3m3xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

> Mali’s President Assimi Goïta has pardoned French national Yann Vezilier, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison over an alleged plot to destabilise the government. Mali says the pardon does not overturn the trial’s findings and that Vezilier will be immediately removed from the country. France, which called the spy allegations unfounded, has not commented.

## Related coverage

- [Mali pardons French national sentenced to 20 years in prison](https://mins.news/en/item/21349) — France 24, 2026-08-13