Mali coup plot: French man arrested over spying allegation

The French national is accused of working "on behalf of the French intelligence service" in Mali.

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In a statement read on national television late on Thursday, the junta alleged that Yann Vezilier was working "on behalf of the French intelligence service". Mr Vezilier is yet to comment on the accusation.

His picture was also broadcast, alongside those of a number of army generals arrested recently for allegedly planning to overthrow the military government.

"The conspiracy has been foiled with the arrests of those involved," Mali's Security Minister Gen Daoud Aly Mohammedine said in the televised address.

France, Mali's former colonial ruler, is also yet to comment on the man's arrest and allegations of destabilisation.