In Mali, the economist Etienne Fakaba Sissoko will hear this Wednesday the deliberation of his trial for “ remarks tending to stigmatize or discriminate against religion “.
The Malian economist is prosecuted on the one hand in a case of false diploma, for which he is currently under arrest warrant, and on the other hand for having held “ remarks tending to stigmatize or discriminate against religion “. Etienne Fakaba Sissoko had criticized the holding of a civil service competition and that of the National Assembly for Refoundation, organized by the transitional government at Christmas. He felt that in a secular state, the choice of this period was detrimental to the Christians of Mali.
But his lawyer believes that it is above all his media positions on the harmful consequences for Mali of the economic sanctions of ECOWAS which have earned him these suits described as ” policies “. However, master Ibrahim Marouf Sako wants to believe in the independence of the justice of his country and the judgment which must be rendered this Wednesday.
There are still courageous magistrates in Mali. One cannot completely despair of justice. I remain confident but without illusions. The reality that we live in today in this country obliges to that. There is a clear overlap between justice and politics, there is an instrumentalization of justice, there is a witch hunt which is launched against certain committed citizens. Some have left the country, others are in prison, others are being prosecuted. […] It was on the basis of bogus reasons that he remained in prison for more than three months. He pays the bill for his commitment. He disturbs and for that, we wanted to silence him, we put him in jail. We are hoping for a fair decision from the courts: release. May he be found not guilty.
Master Ibrahim Marouf Sako
► To review: Mali: Is Etienne Fakaba Sissoko tried for stigmatizing remarks or because he is annoying?
► To read also: Arrest of Etienne Fakaba Sissoko in Mali: voices are raised