A court in Bamako has sentenced former Mali prime minister Moussa Mara to one year in prison for a social media post expressing support for political prisoners.

The National Cybercrime Centre court delivered the verdict on Monday, finding Mara guilty of “undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority.” His punishment also includes a one-year suspended sentence and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs ($887).

Prosecutors had sought a two-year term. Mara, who served as prime minister from 2014 to 2015, has been held in detention since August 1 following his July post in which he wrote that he had met with political prisoners and pledged to seek justice for them.

According to an AFP reporter present in court, Mara listened silently as the sentence was read.

“It’s not over,” his lawyer, Mountaga Tall, said, adding that they would consult before deciding on an appeal.

A friend of the former prime minister, speaking anonymously for security reasons, said the ruling was expected. “We expected it… Tell me what his crime is?” he said.

Mali’s military junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has increasingly cracked down on dissent, dissolving political parties and restricting press freedoms as it consolidates control.