Malaya Justice issued an international arrest warrant on Monday, July 5, against Karim Keïta, a former deputy and son of ex-president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. He is wanted as part of the investigation into the disappearance of a Malian journalist Birama Touré just over five years ago. For five years, the investigations had really not progressed. The case has accelerated in particular thanks to judicial cooperation between Mali and France.
as reported from Bamako, Serge Daniel
A source close to the case says that French justice, at the request of the Malian judge, recently interrogated several people in Paris. New documents should have been added to the file. At the site in Bamako, investigators also confirm, without more precision, to keep “new elements”. We’re talking about some details about the disappearance of journalist Birama Touré which would lead to another case. “There may be a case in point,” a Malian court source commented.
The international arrest warrant issued by a Malian judge informed Interpol, the international criminal police organization responsible for the execution of the said arrest warrant. Karim Keïta, who lives on the Ivory Coast, has always declared his innocence when the journalist disappeared for five years. One of his lawyers, Me Yaro Kalifa, told RFI that he was surprised by the international arrest warrant. “We do not have access to the file and we do not know the new facts that justify the mandate,” he added.
Bamako’s press house, which brings together local journalists, also responded: “Support for justice and that this act is the beginning of the manifestation of the truth” can be read in a press release.
►Also read: Arrest against Karim Keïta: satisfaction for relatives of journalist Birama Touré
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