French citizen linked to destabilizing plans arrested in Mali

Published at: 18/08/2025 11:23 AM

The government of Mali announced the capture of Yann Vezilier, who was accused of acting on behalf of French intelligence to mobilize political leaders, civil society figures and military officers for “criminal activities aimed at destabilizing” the country.

For its part, the French government confirmed the arrest of a citizen accused of participating in a plot to overthrow the government of Mali, amid the deterioration of relations between the countries of the Sahel and their former European colonizers.

Mali's Security Minister, Daoud Aly Mohammedine, announced an investigation to identify “possible accomplices” in “subversive acts” against Bamako involving “foreign States”, after the arrest of Vezilier and dozens of Malian soldiers.

The French government confirmed that Vezilier is an employee of its embassy in Bamako, but denied accusations of his participation in an alleged attempt to overthrow the West African country's military government.

Mazo News Team