In brief
In Mali, Russian mercenaries have been accused of committing brutal human rights violations, including the cold-blooded killing of local men and severe torture of detainees. Eyewitness accounts highlight a pattern of terror that reflects the mercenaries' ruthless methods during their operations against Islamist militants. Despite the tumultuous situation, some refugees managed to escape and are now living in camps in Mauritania, where they recount their harrowing experiences.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of torture and physical violence. Some readers may find it distressing.
A shopkeeper in Mali has described witnessing the Russian mercenaries' execution of two men and being threatened with death himself. His account is among several that outline the mercenaries’ brutal tactics during counter-insurgency operations against Islamist militants in the region.
In August 2024, the shopkeeper, identified as Ahmed, detailed how Wagner Group fighters, acting on suspicions of collusion with jihadists, forcibly detained him. They subjected him to severe torture, including near-drowning, while he was interrogated about the whereabouts of the store owner.
Ahmed and other captured locals were forced into horrific situations, witnessing violent acts, including beheadings. Reports suggest that these mercenaries used social media to boast about their atrocities before their Telegram group was shut down earlier this year.
Following a coup in Mali, local forces turned to Russian operatives for support against the insurgency, leading to widespread allegations of human rights violations against civilians, including extrajudicial killings and torture.
In Mauritania, where many have fled for safety, refugees share harrowing stories of violence at the hands of the mercenaries, haunted by memories of loved ones and the trauma of their experiences.
Although Wagner has reportedly withdrawn, its legacy lives on through successor groups whose actions continue to instill fear among civilians in Mali.
