- Former PM arrested after online post referencing jailed politicians
- He’s accused of weakening the state’s image and going against authority
- His legal team has called the case politically driven
- Mara is still in custody, with trial set for September 29
- Rights groups raise concerns over freedom of speech in Mali
Mali’s former Prime Minister Moussa Mara has been detained following a social media post in which he showed support for jailed political figures. Authorities say the post, shared on July 4, was damaging to the government’s image and challenged its authority.
On Friday, Mali’s prosecutor confirmed that Mara had officially been charged with undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority. He will remain in custody until his trial on September 29.
The post in question was made on X (formerly Twitter), where Mara said he had visited political detainees and promised to stand up for their rights.
Mara’s lawyers released a strong statement, calling the charges unfair and politically motivated. They criticized the legal process and said they would respond in more detail soon.
“This is a targeted attack. The charges are groundless and meant to silence him,” one of the lawyers noted.
Mali has faced political tension since the military took over in 2020, with rights organizations warning about shrinking space for free expression. Mara’s case has now added to those worries, especially among opposition voices and civil society groups.
