Former vice-president of Mali’s National Transitional Council, Issa Kaou Djim, has been sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, and fined 5 million CFA francs (approximately $8,000).
Kaou Djim was convicted of insulting a foreign head of state and using information systems to disseminate offensive remarks. His lawyer criticized the sentence as overly harsh and confirmed plans to appeal the decision.
The ruling has heightened political tensions in Mali, sparking concerns about freedom of speech and political expression under the transitional government.