Mali's Ex-PM Moussa Mara on Trial for "Solidarity" Post Under Military Rule

Trial Opens for Ex-Mali PM Jailed by Military Rulers Over 'Solidarity' Post BAMAKO, MALI - A trial has begun at Mali's specialized national cybercrime court unit in the capital city of Bamako for Moussa Mara, the former prime minister of Mali. Mara is currently jailed by the country's military rulers over visiting political prisoners and expressing solidarity with them online. The trial, which started on Monday, has two parts: a request to provisionally release Mara from jail and the overall case on the merits. According to Mountaga Tall, Mara's lawyer, "hearings are public." The proceedings have sparked debate about freedom of expression and the role of social media in politics. Mara was arrested in February 2025 for visiting political prisoners and posting a message of solidarity with them on X (formerly Twitter). His actions were seen as a challenge to the military rulers who seized power in Mali in 2023. The arrest and trial have been widely criticized by human rights groups, who argue that Mara's actions were legitimate expressions of support for those detained. The case has also raised questions about the use of cybercrime laws to silence critics of the government. "This is a test case for freedom of expression in Mali," said Amadou Ba, a local journalist and activist. "If the court convicts Mara, it will send a chilling message to others who dare to speak out against the military rulers." The trial comes as Mali's military rulers face growing international pressure to return power to civilians. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions on Mali in response to the coup. Mara's lawyer, Mountaga Tall, said that his client is confident that he will be acquitted. "We are optimistic about the outcome," Tall said. "The evidence against my client is weak, and we believe that the court will see through the government's attempts to silence him." The trial is expected to continue for several days, with a verdict likely to be delivered in the coming weeks. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for freedom of expression in Mali and the role of social media in politics. Background: Mali has been under military rule since 2023, when a group of soldiers seized power from the elected government. The military rulers have faced criticism for human rights abuses and attempts to silence critics. Additional Perspectives: "This is a dark day for democracy in Mali," said Amadou Ba, a local journalist and activist. "The military rulers are using cybercrime laws to silence critics and maintain their grip on power." "We hope that the court will see through the government's attempts to silence Mara and deliver a fair verdict," said Mountaga Tall, Mara's lawyer. Current Status: The trial is ongoing, with no verdict yet delivered. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for freedom of expression in Mali and the role of social media in politics. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*