Paris demands the "immediate release" of the Frenchman arrested in Mali "without foundation", according to the Quai d'Orsay

The Frenchman arrested in Mali and accused of participating in an attempt to destabilize institutions is the subject of "baseless accusations," the French Foreign Ministry assured on Saturday.

"A dialogue is underway (with the Malian authorities) in order to dispel any misunderstanding" and obtain the "immediate release" of this member of the French embassy in Bamako, the ministry added.

Malian authorities announced Thursday the arrest of a French national described as working for the "French intelligence service." Mali's ruling junta accused "foreign states" of being behind a destabilization attempt led by "a small group of marginal elements of the Malian armed security forces."

The junta led by President Assimi Goïta, which came to power after two coups in 2020 and 2021, has turned away from Western partners, notably France , to turn politically and militarily towards Russia.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for its part, emphasizes that the arrested Frenchman benefits from the "status of the Vienna Convention governing diplomatic relations," and requests his release "in application of this convention."