BAMAKO, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, detained since Aug. 12, was remanded in custody on Tuesday on charges of "misappropriation of public assets" following a Supreme Court hearing, his lawyer has said.
Cheick Oumar Konare, the lawyer, said Maiga denied the allegations and "remained calm," adding that the former leader considered prison a risk any politician must be ready to face.
The measure followed an investigation into alleged mismanagement of public funds during Maiga's tenure as prime minister and head of the Universal Access Fund Management Agency between 2021 and 2024. Several of his former collaborators were also taken into custody earlier this month, with accusations linked to findings from the Office of the Auditor General.
Judicial sources said the decision marked "an important step in a complex case."
Maiga, a key figure in the "Movement of June 5-Rally of Patriotic Forces," which spearheaded protests against former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in 2020, was appointed prime minister in 2021 but dismissed in late 2024 after relations with transitional President Assimi Goita deteriorated.
In recent weeks, he has openly criticized the military authorities. ■
