Malian Biton Coulibaly was acquitted due to lack of evidence by the criminal chamber of the Tambacounda High Court for theft and intentional assault resulting in death.

The night of August 23, 2024, turned into a nightmare in the village of Soréto, in the commune of Sadatou, in the department of Bakel. Biton Coulibaly, a 34-year-old gold miner, married and father of three, who was attempting to steal precious stones, allegedly fatally stabbed a security guard, Aboubacar Kanté. The incident, which occurred at the gold mining site, shocked the entire village.

The events took place around 3 a.m., according to the testimony of Claufasse Diarra, who stated that he saw Biton Coulibaly stab their teammate Aboubacar Kanté twice. He explained that he was on duty at the gold mining site with the victim when, around 3 a.m., he was alerted by the victim's cries.

According to witness Kadiatou Coulibaly, the suspect had confided in her that he would attack any guard who got in his way when he went to commit a robbery at that level and claimed to have disclosed this information to his relatives.

Struck with incredible force, the security guard collapsed and was rushed to the Kidira health district. Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the victim did not survive the severity of his wounds. The forensic report revealed "open wounds to the inner side of his right arm caused by a sharp bladed weapon," resulting in massive bleeding and death.

The Kéniéba gendarmerie brigade, immediately seized of the matter, had opened an investigation.

After all possible leads were pursued, the suspect was arrested on August 27, 2024, five days after the incident, for robbery with violence resulting in death. The accused, Biton Coulibaly, denied fatally stabbing the victim, stating that he had not been at the scene on the night of August 23-24, 2024, but rather at home with family members, including his wife. In court before the criminal chamber of the Tambacounda High Court, witnesses reiterated their previous statements.

The prosecutor, after summarizing the circumstances of the suspect's arrest, stated that the facts of the case were indisputable. He then requested a life sentence.

Defense counsel Ababacar Kamara argued for acquittal based on reasonable doubt.

The criminal chamber of the Tambacounda High Court finally enlightened the various parties by acquitting the accused on the grounds of reasonable doubt.