A Malian court has sentenced the country’s former domestic intelligence chief, Colonel Kassoum Goita, to 15 years in prison after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy and plotting against the government.

The judgment followed a 10-day trial in which prosecutors accused the former intelligence boss of attempting to overthrow the country’s military-led government and undermine state institutions.

Goita rejected the allegations throughout the proceedings, insisting he had committed no offence. During the trial, he also accused Mali’s ruling authorities of corruption, alleging they had misappropriated public funds. He further claimed he was tortured while in detention.

Colonel Kassoum Goita was among the military officers involved in the August 2020 coup that removed then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita from office. The takeover was led by Colonel Assimi Goita, who is not related to Kassoum Goita despite sharing the same surname.

Following international pressure, the military initially transferred power to a civilian-led transitional administration tasked with preparing the country for a return to democratic rule. Kassoum Goita was later appointed head of domestic intelligence under that interim government.

However, his tenure ended after Assimi Goita staged another coup in 2021, removing the transitional leadership and assuming the role of interim president.

Prosecutors had requested a 20-year prison sentence for Kassoum Goita and five other defendants. All six denied the charges brought against them, but the court convicted them and imposed prison terms ranging from seven to 15 years.

Lawyers representing the former intelligence chief said they intend to challenge the ruling through Mali’s legal system before considering appeals to international judicial bodies.