Mali: the Supreme Court rejects Clément Dembélé’s release request.

Clément Dembélé learned of the decision from the Bamako detention center, where he has been held for over two and a half years. The rejection of his appeal ends this latest attempt by his lawyers to secure his release.

The president of the Network of Human Rights Defenders in Mali, Souleymane Camara, has called for the immediate release of the activist. He believes, like several independent United Nations experts, that the evidence establishing his guilt has not been gathered.

“Just as the UN experts established, the evidence of Clément Dembélé’s guilt has not been established,” said Mr. Camara. He also highlighted that the activist has been very active on issues related to corruption in Mali and that, in his opinion, he may be detained because of this commitment.

An Extended Judicial Process

A university professor and figure in the anti-corruption struggle, Clément Dembélé was accused of threatening General Assimi Goïta’s life in a recording. However, a judge reviewing the case had dismissed the matter and cleared the accused.

The prosecution quickly appealed this decision, preventing the release of the activist. Since then, the successive stages of the procedure have prolonged his detention, culminating in the Supreme Court’s rejection of his appeal.

For about a year now, several independent experts from the United Nations have also called for Clément Dembélé’s release. These experts have questioned the strength of the evidence against him and urged the Malian authorities to respect his rights.

The Network of Human Rights Defenders in Mali is now demanding immediate release. This demand comes as military authorities have banned political party activities and voices are rising to call for a return to constitutional order.