One person was killed and several more wounded today in Mali during a protest over the arrest of a popular radio presenter.
Medical sources confirmed a passerby was killed walking through the protest in the capital, Bamako, as protesters clashed with security forces who fired tear gas.
The demonstration was sparked by the arrest on Monday of Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, a government minister's son also known as "Rasbath", whose polemical presence on local radio has raised the ire of the authorities.
Supporters had gathered outside court to show their support where the young presenter was due to appear in connection with a police investigation into whether he broke public morality rules.
Rasbath has accused President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of being unable to manage the Malian army and attacked the prime minister and several senior military figures on his show "Carte sur table" (Card on the table).
He comes from establishment stock himself as the son of land affairs minister Mohamed Ali Bathily, but is now facing allegations of "offending public decency" over his broadcasts.
Political tensions over the army are high following a massacre on July 19 of 17 soldiers at a military camp in Nampala, central Mali, which also left dozens wounded.
Bathily had attacked top brass for what he said was poor leadership, making direct reference to the Nampala incident.
The attack was claimed both by Ansar Dine Islamists and a newly formed group.
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