French documentary crew detained in Togo on alleged visa fraud
Two French filmmakers and their Togolese fixer were placed in pre-trial detention in Togo on accusations of false immigration statements.
French documentary makers Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, together with Togolese fixer Fred Vedomey, have been held in pre-trial detention after police seized them in Kara, northern Togo, on July 27. They face charges of making false declarations in immigration paperwork, according to Togolese officials. Reporters Without Borders contends the team possessed authorized work visas issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, a statement the culture minister, Isaac Tchiakpé, disputes, saying proper permits were lacking.
The media regulator HARC reports no accreditation request was filed by the filmmakers or France Télévisions. Their equipment was confiscated, they were briefly released on July 30, then re-arrested and transferred to Lomé. The incident occurs as Togo tightens restrictions on French media and deepens ties with Russia and other military-run neighbors.
Why it matters
The detentions highlight escalating friction between Togo and French journalists, raising concerns over press freedom in the region.
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