Two weeks after an international arrest warrant was issued against Karim Keïta, son of former Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, as part of the investigation into the disappearance of a Malian journalist, his lawyers are on the plate. They claim that the inquiry has a “political” basis and advise its client not to return to Mali to answer for justice.
with our correspondent in Bamako, Serge Daniel
In his letter, Karim Kéta’s lawyers say that the investigation into the disappearance of the Malian journalist Birama Touré is based on “a political circumstance”.
They then urge the son of former Malian President IBK not to return to Mali for the time being to appear before the judge in connection with this case. Ms Kassoum Tapo, one of the defense lawyers, “and all honest people” must acknowledge that the “transitional authorities” cannot “guarantee his safety if he were brought to justice in Malia.”
When asked by Interpol, the international organization for criminal police, not to execute the international arrest warrant, the lawyers for Karim Keïta, a former deputy, slip into the case, a bit as if they started their foundation …
For them, their client has nothing to do with the disappearance of the Malian journalist. Birama Toure, journalist for the investigation week Le Sphinx has been missing for just over five years (end of January 2016) in Bamako. In the investigation, Malaysian justice – which today believes that there are new elements – wants to hear several people, including Karim Keïta.
► Also read : Arrest warrant against Karim Keïta: satisfaction for relatives of journalist Birama Touré
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