French Journalist Wassim Nasr Under Investigation for Analyzing Armed​ Groups in West Africa

Public prosecutors in Mali, ⁢Burkina Faso, and⁣ Niger have launched ⁣an investigation against ⁢French ‌journalist and researcher Wassim Nasr, ⁤accusing him of promoting armed​ groups due to his analysis of recent attacks carried​ out by these ⁢groups.

Wassim Nasr, a⁢ security expert and France 24 correspondent,⁣ has⁤ been ⁣providing regular analysis of the armed rebellion ‍that ⁤began⁤ in Mali in 2012‍ and⁢ later spread to the Sahel region in West Africa.

Nasr’s recent analysis‌ of a rare attack on several strategic positions in the Malian capital, ⁣Bamako, on September 17, was widely quoted in several‌ media outlets after the incident.

The joint ⁣statement issued by⁣ public prosecutions specializing in the fight against⁤ terrorism in Mali, Burkina Faso, and ‌Niger,⁢ accused ‌Nasr of making statements that​ were considered “public promotion and support” for the activity of armed groups, referring to the recent attack in ⁤Bamako ​and another attack ‌in 2023 in the town of ⁣Djibo, Burkina‌ Faso.

The‍ investigation​ against Nasr has been ‍opened on charges of criminal conspiracy, complicity in⁢ terrorist​ acts, and propaganda for armed ‌groups.

Nasr, who resides in ‍France, has refused to comment on the accusations,‌ instead expressing ⁢solidarity with his colleagues in the Sahel region and those‍ who suffer from oppression.

The three ​countries have previously suspended broadcasting of channels such as France 24 and other international media due to their coverage of the rebellion in the ⁤Sahel ​region.