A documentary shoot in Togo has led to the detention of French journalists Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez-Pezzani, as well as their Togolese fixer, after authorities charged them with making “false statements” in late July. The crew was working on a travel programme for French broadcaster France 5. Initially placed under house arrest, the three were later moved to pre-trial detention.
“They were simply doing their job, filming a documentary series that has absolutely no political purpose,” said Sadibou Marong, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) director for Sub-Saharan Africa. He described the decision to deprive the media professionals of their freedom as “unjustified and disproportionate” under the circumstances.
