Son defends French former al-Qaida hostage’s return to Mali

Sophie Petronin accused of putting herself and others in danger by going back months after she was freed

The son of a former al-Qaida hostage has struck back at French government claims that she has put herself and others in danger by slipping back into Mali where she was held for four years.

Sophie Petronin's return to Mali has sparked criticism and made headlines in her native France, with a government spokesperson this week accusing her of irresponsibility toward her own security and also the security of our troops" in the west African country.