Mali's former PM Moussa Mara sentenced to one year in jail

Mali's former Prime Minister Moussa Mara will spend one year in prison after a Bamako court sentenced him on Monday following a social media post detained people.

His punishment for "undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority" additionally includes a one-year suspended sentence.

Mara, who was prime minister for eight months from 2014 until 2015, has been in prison since August 1 on charges following his July social media post in which he said he had met with "political prisoners" and promised justice.

Mara listened impassively on Monday as the National Cybercrime Centre court in Bamako handed down his sentence, an AFP reporter observed.

Prosecutors requested for two-year sentence

Prosecutors had requested the 24-month judgement.

The former head of the Malian government must also pay a 500,000 CFA franc ($887) fine.

"It's not over", Mara's lawyer Mountaga Tall told AFP, adding: "We will consult with our client and decide on the next steps".

Mali is under transitional rule, headed by President Assimi Goita.