Commentator, activist reject charges

Malian commentator Youssouf Bathily, known as Ras Bath, and activist Rose have both denied accusations of criminal association and undermining state institutions. The first hearing in the Bamako Court of Appeal focused largely on audio recordings presented by prosecutors as evidence, reports africanews. Ras Bath, who has been in provisional detention for nearly three years, rejected the charges against him. Meanwhile, Rose told the court that her social media posts and public remarks were meant to alert the authorities to rising prices and the cost of basic goods, not to destabilise the institutions. Prosecutors say the two were linked through repeated media appearances, including two interviews in which Ras Bath invited Rose onto his shows. The defence disputes that interpretation and has asked for the audio recordings to be removed from the case.