Mali arrests journalist after article critical of Niger's leader, rights group says

Human Rights Watch says Youssouf Sissoko was arrested on Feb. 5, charged with spreading false information and insulting a foreign head of state, and is being held in pretrial custody.

Malian authorities arrested a prominent journalist after he questioned accusations by Niger's military leader, Human Rights Watch reported. Youssouf Sissoko is editor-in-chief of the weekly L'Alternance and was taken from his home in Bamako on Feb. 5. Authorities brought him before a cybercrime prosecutor who charged him with spreading false information and insulting a foreign head of state. The case comes amid reported restrictions on independent media in Mali. Known details: - Youssouf Sissoko was arrested at his Bamako home on Feb. 5 and placed in pretrial custody. - A cybercrime prosecutor charged him with spreading false information and insulting a foreign head of state. - The arrest followed a Feb. 2 article that questioned accusations made by Niger's military leader. - Human Rights Watch reported the arrest and called for his release and for the charges to be dropped. Summary: The case is reported as part of a pattern of restrictions on journalists and civic space in Mali. Undetermined at this time.