The Malian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights announced on Thursday the extradition of Yaya Cisse, a Malian national who had been imprisoned in Mauritania since 2012.
His transfer to Mali was carried out under the framework of the General Convention on Judicial Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the Republic of Mali.
Yaya Cisse was sentenced to death in Mauritania for his alleged involvement in the murder of a tour guide in Nouadhibou on July 26, 2010. He was arrested on March 30, 2012, and has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was not present in Mauritania at the time the crime occurred.
His trial concluded on July 28, 2012, at the Nouadhibou Criminal Court, with the death sentence being upheld by the Court of Appeal on December 23, 2012, and subsequently by the Mauritanian Supreme Court on May 4, 2013. Throughout the legal proceedings, Mr. Cisse presented what he believed to be compelling evidence of his absence from Mauritanian territory at the time of the murder, including administrative documents and telephone records.
Over the years, various human rights organizations, lawyers, and members of the Malian diaspora actively campaigned for his transfer to Mali. Their persistent representations to the judicial and diplomatic authorities of both Mauritania and Mali ultimately led to an agreement facilitating his repatriation to serve his sentence in his home country.
In its press release, the Malian Ministry of Justice expressed its appreciation for the cooperation of the Mauritanian authorities and acknowledged the significant role played by civil society organizations, Malian associations abroad, and human rights defenders in securing Mr. Cisse’s transfer.
The ministry also highlighted the commitment of the transitional authorities in managing this sensitive case. The situation of Yaya Cisse continues to be closely monitored by his supporters, who are still advocating for his acquittal and seeking a judicial review of his case in accordance with the legal avenues available under Malian law.
MD/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA