Suspected French spy accused of plot to overthrow Mali government
The junta has accused Yann Christian Bernard Vezilier of working on behalf of France's intelligence service to help overthrow the regime.
Mr Vezilier had served as a lieutenant colonel for nearly 30 years in France's Air Force and was awarded the National Order of Merit in 2020, the country's second-most prestigious honour, according to a listing in the Official Journal of France.
A photo of Mr Vezilier was broadcast on national television late on Thursday with 10 other alleged conspirators, including several army generals.
France, the former colonial ruler of Mali, has not yet commented on the arrest.
General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, Mali's security minister, said in a televised address: 'The conspiracy has been foiled with the arrests of those involved.'
He said 'fringe elements of the Malian armed security forces' were held for seeking to 'destabilise the institutions of the republic', adding 'these soldiers and civilians' were said to have obtained 'the help of foreign states'.
France's once close relationship with its former colonies in West Africa's Sahel region has soured in recent years as military officers have overthrown civilian governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Paris has withdrawn French troops involved in an operation to combat Islamist militants there under pressure from the countries' new leadership. Mali, which cut military ties with France, has meanwhile turned to Russia for support.
The government launched a wave of arrests on August 1 that included General Abass Dembele, the former governor of the Mopti region and General Nema Sagara, one of the few women at the highest levels of the Malian army who was lauded for her role in fighting militants in 2012.
Dembele was abruptly dismissed from the government in May, when he demanded an investigation into allegations that the Malian army killed civilians in the village of Diafarabé.
The arrests were made mainly within the national guard – a branch of the army in which defence minister Sadio Camara, a key figure in the junta, previously served.
At least 55 soldiers have been arrested so far in connection with the alleged attempted coup.
General Mohammedine said a full investigation was underway to identify 'possible accomplices' and that 'the situation is completely under control'.
In another statement, the government claimed to have 'thwarted the conspiracy' which they characterised as 'desperate attempts at destabilisation which will always fail'.
The French government has been approached for comment.
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