[REVISION HISTORY]

Detention of French journalists in Togo

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2026-08-23 18:51 UTC → 2026-08-24 23:35 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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’. ~~Concerns have also~~ Recent developments indicate that Sebastian Perez Pezzani has been released under judicial control and is receiving hospital treatment following previously raised ~~regarding the~~ health ~~of Sebastian Perez Pezzani, who reportedly requires urgent care. The incident follows previous tensions between Togo~~ concerns. However, Gaël Mocaër and ~~French media, including~~ Fred Vedomey remain incarcerated in Lomé after their requests for provisional release were rejected. Their lawyer denies the ~~June 2025 suspension of broadcasts by Radio France Internationale and France 24.~~ charges, while the production company maintains the team complied with all regulations.

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