French journalists detained in Togo over documentary filming

French journalists detained Togo Les Routes de l'impossible Reporters Without Borders media freedom

Two French journalists, Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, and their Togolese fixer, Fred Vedomey, have been detained in Togo since July 27. The team was arrested in the Kara region while filming a documentary for the series ‘Les Routes de l’impossible’ for France 5.

The journalists are currently being held in pre-trial detention at the Agoè Logopé camp near Lomé, facing charges of “false statements.” Their production company, Tony Comiti Productions, maintains that the team held valid work visas and filming authorizations from the Ministry of Culture and had declared their equipment to customs.

However, Togo’s communication regulator (HARC) stated it received no accreditation requests for the individuals from France Télévisions or the journalists themselves. The French Foreign Ministry has confirmed the detention and stated that consular visits have been conducted to monitor the detainees' health and legal rights.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for their immediate release, describing the proceedings as unjustified. There are growing concerns regarding the health of Sebastian Perez Pezzani, who is reportedly suffering from serious medical issues that may require urgent attention.

Entities

Faure Gnassingbé · France · France Télévisions · Fred Vedomey · French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs · Gaël Mocaër · HARC · Quai d'Orsay · Reporters Without Borders · Sebastian Perez Pezzani · Togo · Tony Comiti Productions

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The team was filming for the documentary series 'Les Routes de l'impossible'. togotopnews.tg · 1001infos.net · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com
[● 3 SOURCES] French authorities have conducted three consular visits to the detainees since July 27. www.adomonline.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The journalists and their Togolese fixer, Fred Vedomey, were arrested near Kara in northern Togo. 1001infos.net · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com
[● 8 SOURCES] Two French nationals have been held in Togo since July 27. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · togotopnews.tg · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com · www.lejsl.com · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The journalists had valid filming authorizations and visas. togotopnews.tg · 1001infos.net · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The two journalists were charged with 'false statements' on August 17. 1001infos.net · www.adomonline.com
[● 2 SOURCES] One of the detainees, Sebastian Perez Pezzani, is reportedly suffering from serious health problems. 1001infos.net · www.adomonline.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The High Authority for the Regulation of Written, Audiovisual and Digital Communication (HARC) received no accreditation requests for the two individuals. atlanticinfos.tg · 1001infos.net · www.adomonline.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The detainees have been charged with making false statements. 1001infos.net · www.adomonline.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The production company asserts the team had valid visas and filming authorizations. togotopnews.tg · 1001infos.net · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The journalists were filming a documentary for France 5 when they were detained. togotopnews.tg · 1001infos.net · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com
[● 3 SOURCES] RSF has called for the immediate release of the detained journalists and their fixer. 1001infos.net · clubdelapressehdf.fr · www.adomonline.com