French President Francois Hollande confirmed on Monday the death of a French hostage in Mali.

French President Francois Hollande confirmed on Monday the death of a French hostage in Mali.

A statement from the Hollande’s office said an autopsy would be performed to learn the cause of death of Philippe Verdon once the body is transferred to France. Tests were conducted on the body to verify the identity.

Verdon is one of six French citizens captured by al-Qaeda's in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM. The media arm of AQIM had said on Twitter in April that he was dead after an unofficial announcement in March.

Verdon, in his early 50s, had been captured in Hombori, in northeastern Mali, in November 2011 along with another French citizen. Both were reportedly on a business trip.

The al-Qaida-linked group, which said they were abducted from their hotel room, alleged they were French spies. AQIM is still believed to be holding five French hostages.

Verdon was known to be in ill health and there has been speculation that his death was related to pre-existing conditions. However, AQIM took credit for his death, saying in April that the fate of the remaining captives "is in the hands of French President Francois Hollande and the door is still open to find a just solution."

The presidential statement reiterated that "those responsible for the death of our countryman must be identified and judged."