At least three Malian personalities, including an activist and star radio host, have been arrested since Monday by the General Directorate of State Services (DGSE) for
"the needs of an investigation"
whose outlines have not been specified. , we learned Tuesday from security sources.
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Mohammed Youssouf Bathily, known as
"Ras Bath"
, protest activist who hosts a very popular radio program, Vital Robert Diop, who heads the Malian PMU (betting company) and Souhahebou Coulibaly, boss of Agefau, a public agency in charge of promote internet access,
"were arrested on Monday for investigation by the intelligence services of Mali,"
this security source told AFP.
The latter refused to comment on
"rumors circulating on social networks"
, which report attempts to destabilize the transitional bodies set up after the putsch which overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on August 18, or even 'a counter coup d'etat project.
"None of those arrested is related to a former Prime Minister as we have heard here and there,"
said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Renouveau press group has confirmed the arrest by members of state security of its columnist Ras Bath, which has crystallized popular resentment for years, in particular that of young people, against the ruling political class.
According to another Malian security source,
“other arrests are possible to advance the investigation”.
"The Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic was arrested by the DGSE",
a member of the intelligence services told AFP in the evening.