Togo holds 'serious evidence' against detained French nationals

Togo's government announced Saturday that it possesses "serious and consistent evidence" against two French nationals and their Togolese mediator, who were arrested last month. The trio faces charges of making "false statements" in the West African nation.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a call this week for the immediate release of the detainees, voicing significant concern over their ongoing imprisonment. The organization highlighted the difficult situations faced by the families of the two French journalists and filmmakers, Gaël Mokaer and Sébastien Perez Betsani, who work for a French production company.

According to a joint statement from Togo's Ministries of Justice and Security, the documentary film team, arrested on July 27, used a drone in areas considered sensitive by authorities due to the risk of jihadist attacks. The statement noted that the filming permit bore only the signature of the Togolese mediator, Farid Fédoumi, and not the French nationals. It specified that the permit was strictly limited to designated areas.

The ministries indicated "several irregularities" in how the mission was carried out, though they did not provide specific details. The article does not elaborate on the nature of the "false statements" or the specific sensitive areas involved.