French journalists detained in Togo say they face serious accusations of false statements related to their visa, according to official statements from the Togolese government. The two French filmmakers, Gaël Mocaër and Sébastian Perez-Pezzani, along with their Togolese fixer Fred Vedomey, were arrested on July 27 while shooting a documentary episode for France Télévisions. The trio is accused of using drones in restricted areas deemed sensitive due to threats from jihadist groups operating near the border with Burkina Faso. The Togolese justice and security ministries released a joint statement on August 22 confirming that "grave and consistent indications" support the prosecution’s case against the three men. The arrests occurred during the production of an episode titled Les routes de l'impossible, a documentary series broadcast by France Télévisions. According to the Togolese authorities, the team operated a drone in regions classified as high-risk, particularly the Savanes region in the extreme north of the country, which has been under a state of emergency since 2022 due to increased jihadist activity. The ministry claims that the filming permit, issued by the Ministry of Tourism, was signed solely by Vedomey and did not cover the areas where the drone was flown. It further alleges multiple irregularities in how the mission was prepared and executed, though no specifics were provided. The legal proceedings began on August 17, when the three men appeared before prosecutors in Lomé, accompanied by their lawyer, Martial Akakpo. He confirmed that his clients deny the allegations against them. The lawyers argue that the team followed all necessary procedures, including obtaining filming permits and declaring their equipment to customs. Patrice Lucchini, director of Tony Comiti Productions, the firm behind the project, stated that the team had acted lawfully and had even exceeded a designated area by accident. He emphasized that the team had taken all required steps to comply with Togolese regulations. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has repeatedly called for the immediate release of the two French journalists, citing concerns over their health. Sebastian Perez-Pezzani is reportedly suffering from severe medical issues, with a Togolese doctor warning of potential sepsis. RSF’s director, Thibaut Bruttin, stated that there is no evidence the men made intentional false statements and urged the authorities to allow Perez-Pezzani’s urgent evacuation to France. The organization also highlighted the distress of the journalists’ families, who expressed deep concern over their detention. The Togolese government maintains that the three men are being held in secure conditions that meet international standards and have access to consular assistance and family communication. However, the situation remains unresolved, with the journalists’ legal representatives continuing to challenge the validity of the charges. The case highlights ongoing tensions between foreign media teams and local authorities in countries facing heightened security risks, particularly in regions affected by cross-border jihadist threats. As the legal process unfolds, the fate of the detained journalists remains uncertain.
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