The applicant is a national of Mali, from Kayes region, who requested international protection due to the fear of persecution and violence to which he was subjected in his village due to his sexual orientation. His request was rejected as he was not deemed credible. The Venice Tribunal rejected his appeal and he further appealed before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and sent the case back to the Venice Tribunal. The court confirmed the jurisprudential orientation regarding the correct assessment of the credibility of asylum applicants, especially in cases of sexual orientation. The court reiterated that the assessment of credibility cannot be based on stereotypical notions associated with homosexuality and, in particular, on the failure to answer stereotypical questions on homosexuality. In addition, the court also noted that the lower court did not verify the applicant’s statements in the light of specific country of origin information intended to clarify the condition of homosexuals in the country of origin and the level of acceptance or non-acceptance in the country.