Two French journalists and their Togolese guide remain in custody following their arrest in Togo on July 27, 2026. The individuals, identified as Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani of the press agency Tony Comiti Productions, and their guide, Fred Vedomey, were initially detained by police in the northern region of Kara while filming at a public market for the television program Les Routes de l’impossible.
Authorities initially questioned the group on suspicion of espionage after they were found in an area restricted due to regional terrorist activity. While police reportedly found no evidence to support the espionage allegations after reviewing the team’s footage, the three were re-arrested shortly after their initial release. Following eight days of confinement at a hotel, the group was transferred to the Agoè-Logopé police camp in Lomé on August 4, 2026.
On August 17, the Lomé Public Prosecutor’s Office charged the three individuals with making false statements. Authorities allege the journalists failed to complete necessary visa formalities and did not obtain the required authorization to work in the country. Fred Vedomey faces the same charge, with officials citing a discrepancy between the profession listed on his passport and the one provided in the filming permit application, an allegation he denies.
Tony Comiti Productions maintains that the journalists had secured work visas and accreditation from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts. However, the High Authority for the Regulation of Written, Audiovisual, and Digital Communication (HARC) stated on August 19 that it had received no accreditation requests from the journalists or France Télévisions. The HARC noted that under Article 20 of the Press and Communication Code, foreign correspondents must obtain accreditation from the authority in addition to holding a professional press card.
On August 20, the Lomé Court of First Instance placed Sebastian Perez Pezzani under house arrest for medical reasons. Gaël Mocaër and Fred Vedomey remain in custody. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed that French officials have visited the journalists three times during their detention.
Elikplim Goka-Adokanu, President of the Union of Independent Journalists of Togo, stated that the matter has reached an inter-state level and suggested that diplomatic channels are the appropriate path to resolve the situation. The Media Foundation for West Africa has issued a statement condemning the prolonged detention, arguing that any administrative irregularities should be handled through proportionate procedures that respect press freedom.
Article and image source: allafrica.com
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