News|PrisonMali court jails ex-PM Mara after online post backing political prisonersFormer Prime Minister Moussa Mara found guilty of ‘undermining’ the state by Bamako court in military-ruled Mali.

In Mali, former Prime Minister Moussa Mara has been sentenced to one year in prison by the National Cybercrime Centre court in Bamako. The sentencing, delivered on Mon, Sep 29, 2025, pertains to a social media post in which Mara expressed support for political prisoners.

The charges against Mara include "undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority." In addition to the prison term, he received a 12-month suspended sentence and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs ($887).

Mara, who served as Prime Minister from 2014 to 2015, has been incarcerated since August 1, 2025. His social media activities, particularly a post dated Jul 4, 2025, where he named political prisoners and expressed solidarity, were pivotal in the court's decision.

Following the verdict, Mara's legal team announced an appeal, describing the decision as "particularly harsh." They emphasized their commitment to continuing the legal process to seek a more favorable outcome.

Mali is currently governed by a military administration led by General Assimi Goita. The government came to power following coups in 2020 and 2021. Although there were initial commitments to restore civilian governance by 2024, elections have been postponed indefinitely, and political parties have been disbanded. This year, Goita was granted an additional five-year term.

Amnesty International has criticized the sentencing, labeling it a "travesty of justice" and urging the military government to cease its repression of dissent and release individuals detained solely for expressing opinions.

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Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.