# Mali trial of Ras Bath and Rokia Doumbia > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dakar-police-arrest-man-accused-of-abusing-children-at-footb > Updated: 2026-08-17T12:24:12.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2. The trial of Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known as Ras Bath, and Rokia Doumbia, known as Rose Poivron (or ‘Rose, the cost of living’), concluded in the Bamako Court of Appeal in Mali. The defendants faced charges of criminal conspiracy and undermining state credit through information and communication technologies. During the proceedings, the prosecution requested a 10-year prison sentence and a fine for both individuals. Bathily, a leader of the Collectif pour la défense de la République (CDR), defended his right to criticize the government and address the rising cost of living, while Doumbia argued her actions were intended to alert authorities to economic hardships. Prosecutors used WhatsApp exchanges as evidence of their association and characterized Bathily as a ‘danger’ to the ruling junta. Ultimately, the court sentenced both Bathily and Doumbia to seven years in prison, including three years suspended. The sentences follow a 2023 broadcast by Bathily regarding economic hardships in Mali. The ruling occurs amid increasing restrictions on freedoms under Mali’s military government, which took power following coups in 2020 and 2021. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Mali sentences broadcaster and influencer to seven years in prison A Malian court sentenced broadcaster Ras Bath and influencer Rokia Doumbia to seven years in prison for criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state following critiques of the ruling military junta. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mali-sentences-broadcaster-and-influencer-to-seven-years-in-prison ### 2026-08-10: Ras Bath trial begins in Bamako with 10-year sentence requested The trial of Malian activist Ras Bath and Rokiatou Doumbia has begun in Bamako, with prosecutors seeking 10-year prison sentences for criminal conspiracy and undermining state credit. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dakar-police-arrest-man-accused-of-abusing-children-at-football-school --- Cite as: Mali trial of Ras Bath and Rokia Doumbia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dakar-police-arrest-man-accused-of-abusing-children-at-footb