A court in Mali has sentenced prominent broadcaster Mohamed Youssouf Bathily and social media influencer Rokia Doumbia to seven years in prison after finding them guilty of offences linked to criticism of the country’s military government.
Bathily, widely known by his nickname Ras Bath, and Doumbia, who campaigns online under the name “Rose, the cost of living”, were convicted of criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state by the Bamako Court of Appeal’s criminal chamber on Monday.
They were also handed three-year suspended prison sentences.
The case is the latest involving critics of Mali’s military authorities, who seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta has tightened restrictions on dissent and political activity since taking control of the West African country.
Bathily and Doumbia had been detained since March 2023 following a programme broadcast by the journalist that focused on the economic hardships facing ordinary Malians.
The broadcaster’s appearance in court drew particular attention, with his noticeably gaunt and weakened appearance shocking supporters and observers. His trial began on 10 August.
According to two lawyers who spoke on condition of anonymity, prosecutors argued that Bathily posed a threat to the military authorities and should be kept away from social media and radio broadcasting.
Prosecutors also alleged that Bathily and Doumbia had acted together, citing two occasions when the broadcaster had invited the influencer on to his programme.
Defence lawyers rejected the allegations.
Bathily’s father, former government minister Mohamed Aly Bathily, who is also part of his son’s legal team, said the defence had not yet decided whether to appeal against the verdict.
The convictions come amid continuing pressure on prominent voices critical of Mali’s military rulers, raising further concerns about freedom of expression in the country.
