A Malian court has jailed a French embassy official for 20 years for 'undermining state security' in a new blow to relations between Mali and France.
The verdict was handed down by a specialized anti-terrorist court, with the official also facing a $6,225 fine and a 20-year ban on entering Mali.
France has lambasted the 'baseless accusations' made by the junta against the official, who was detained in August last year.
The official was accused of working for French intelligence and destabilizing the jihadist-plagued country.
Mali has turned its back on the West, especially France, and has fostered closer ties with Moscow, welcoming Russian mercenaries to help tackle the long-running jihadist threat.
