Prominent Malian activist and radio commentator Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, widely known as “Ras Bath”, and his co-accused Rokia Doumbia, known as “Rose la Vie Chère”, have been sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years suspended.
The verdict was handed down by a Malian court on Monday after finding both figures guilty of criminal association and damaging the credit of the state through information and communication technologies.
Legal representatives for the pair swiftly rejected the judgment, dismissing the charges as baseless.
“These accusations are entirely fictional,” defense counsel stated following the ruling, confirming plans to lodge an appeal with the Supreme Court.
Political analyst and journalist Oussouf Diagola highlighted that the heavy sentences reflect heightened legal and political scrutiny faced by civil society voices in the country.
Ras Bath and Doumbia now have the option to take their case to the Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority in Mali, to challenge the convictions.
–ChannelAfrica–
