A court in Mali has refused to grant a provisional release to economist Etienne Fakaba Sissoko.

The Malian economist is being tried on appeal for “undermining the credibility of the state”, following the publication of a book in which he denounces the “propaganda” of the transitional government.

He was sentenced last May to two years in prison and ordered to pay damages of 3 million CFA francs to the State.

Imprisoned for seven months, the appeal court on Monday, authorized his provisional release under judicial supervision; a decision rejected by the public prosecutor.

In Bamako, Aliou Thiam has the rest of the story and voiced by Etsey Atisu.