A Malian court has rejected a request for the release of 11 critics of the ruling junta who were arrested in June.
The group, including former ministers and political figures, was detained on charges of plotting against the legal authorities.
Their arrest occurred during a private meeting in Bamako, the capital, while political party activities were banned under the junta’s authority.
This ban had been introduced by the military in April, marking a toughening stance on dissent since they seized power in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.
The authorities lifted the political activity ban in July, yet the arrested individuals remain in custody.
A judicial source confirmed that the appeal for their release, submitted to the Bamako court of appeal, had been rejected.
“Their lawyers may still seek to appeal to another jurisdiction,” said the anonymous official.
The detainees had signed a declaration in March, calling for the restoration of civilian rule and the holding of a presidential election.
The declaration criticized the “legal and institutional vacuum” left after the military’s deadline to transfer power expired, urging elections to be held “as soon as possible.”
