Togo Charges 2 French Journalists With False Declarations After 20 Days in Detention
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 20
Togo Charges 2 French Journalists With False Declarations After 20 Days in Detention
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 20
Summary
Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani were charged with “false declarations” after being held since July 27, even though RSF and their production company say they had valid work visas and filming authorization.
RSF said the two are in pre-trial detention near Lomé, where Pezzani has serious health problems requiring immediate medical attention; their Togolese fixer, Fred Vedomey, is also detained.
France’s foreign ministry confirmed the detention and said officials have visited the pair three times while monitoring their treatment, legal access and contacts with their lawyer, employer and families.
The case has fueled concern over press freedom in Togo, which ranks 97th of 180 on RSF’s index and suspended France 24 and RFI for 3 months in 2025 after anti-government protests.
Local speculation has linked the arrests to exiled Togolese journalist Ferdinand Ayité in France, but neither French nor Togolese authorities have said the French journalists are being used as leverage.