# Detention of French journalists in Togo

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/detention-of-french-journalists-in-togo
> Updated: 2026-08-23T15:30:58.000Z. Sources: 44. Developments: 3.

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

Authorities have charged the group with making “false statements” or “false declarations” regarding immigration and administrative procedures. While the production company, Tony Comiti Productions, asserts the team possessed valid work visas and filming authorizations, Togo’s communication regulator (HARC) claims no accreditation requests were received from the journalists or France Télévisions.

The Togolese ministries of Justice and Security claim to possess ‘serious and consistent evidence’ to support the charges. Authorities allege the team operated outside permitted filming zones—specifically in the Savanes region, Binah prefecture, and locations including Mango, Guérin-Kouka, and Matchatom—and used a drone without declaring its specifications. Officials emphasized that the legal proceedings concern administrative and security regulations rather than press freedom, noting the Savanes region has been under a state of emergency since 2022 due to jihadist threats. They also noted that the filming authorization was issued solely in the name of the Togolese fixer, Vedomey.

The detention has drawn international attention, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Togolese Press Association calling for their release and describing the proceedings as ‘unjustified and disproportionate’. 

Recent developments indicate that Sebastian Perez Pezzani has been released under judicial control and is receiving hospital treatment following previously raised health concerns. However, Gaël Mocaër and Fred Vedomey remain incarcerated in Lomé after their requests for provisional release were rejected. Their lawyer denies the charges, while the production company maintains the team complied with all regulations.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Togo detains French filmmakers over documentary filming irregularities

Two French filmmakers and a Togolese collaborator remain in legal proceedings in Togo after being arrested for alleged regulatory and security violations during a documentary shoot in the north.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/togo-detains-two-french-filmmakers-over-alleged-drone-and-permit-irregularities

### 2026-08-21: Togo detains French filmmakers over alleged permit irregularities

Togo has detained two French filmmakers and a Togolese fixer for allegedly making ‘false declarations’ while filming a documentary in sensitive northern regions without proper permits.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/togo-detains-french-filmmakers-over-alleged-immigration-violations

### 2026-08-18: French journalists detained in Togo over documentary filming

Two French journalists and a Togolese fixer have been detained in Togo since late July while filming a documentary. They face charges of “false statements” despite claims of valid filming permits.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/togo-detains-two-french-journalists-since-late-july

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Cite as: Detention of French journalists in Togo. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/detention-of-french-journalists-in-togo