The court of the national cybercrime unit delivered its verdict on March 23: Youssouf Sissoko , editor of the newspaper L'Alternance , was sentenced to two years in prison . He will also have to pay one million CFA francs (approximately 1,500 euros) in damages.

The alleged offenses

Arrested on February 5, the journalist was being prosecuted for "spreading false information, damaging the reputation of the State and insulting a foreign head of state".

The justice system is targeting an article published on February 2nd about General Abdourahamane Tiani , head of the junta in Niger. The text in question:

1. It disputed Niamey's accusations implicating France, Ivory Coast and Benin in the Niamey airport attack (claimed by ISIS).
2. He described Niger's governance as "a laboratory for toxic political experimentation".

A profession in shock

The conviction has sparked a wave of outrage in the Malian press and among international organizations:

1. Immediate appeal: Boubacar Yalkoué, president of the Association of Private Press Publishers (ASSEP), announced his intention to appeal, denouncing a verdict that does not promote appeasement.
2. Danger to democracy: ASSEP is concerned about a "dangerous precedent" and a "worrying setback" for freedom of information in Mali.
3. RSF's reaction: Reporters Without Borders denounces a "serious violation" and condemns the misuse of cybercrime laws to silence journalists. The NGO calls for the immediate release of the convicted man.

"This court decision risks further weakening the media, which is already facing numerous difficulties." — ASSEP press release