France Expresses Relief Over Release of French Diplomat in Mali

Paris, August 14 (KUNA) -- France expressed its relief on Friday over the release of a French diplomat who had been detained in Mali for 12 months. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that “France expresses its great relief following the release of Yann Vizelli, a member of the French Embassy in Mali, after his detention in the country for 12 months.” The statement added that “the return of our citizen to France and his family is a source of relief for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as for all his colleagues.” The head of Mali’s ruling military council, Assimi Goita, had issued a pardon on Thursday for Vizelli, who had been sentenced in June to 20 years in prison on charges of conspiring against state institutions. (End) m.b./a.m.s.