Togo: French Journalists Charged Over Accreditation, False Statements

• French journalists Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, along with their Togolese guide Fred Vedomey, were arrested in Togo on July 27, 2026, while filming.
• Initially suspected of espionage, they were later charged with making "false statements" related to alleged visa and work authorization irregularities.
• Togo's High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) stated it received no accreditation request for the journalists, citing Article 20 of the Press and Communication Code.
• Tony Comiti Productions, the journalists' agency, claims they had obtained a work visa and accreditation from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts.
• As of September 1, 2026, Sebastian Perez Pezzani, Gaël Mocaër, and Fred Vedomey were granted provisional release, with the French journalists having returned to France. All three continue to face charges of 'false statements'.

This incident underscores the critical importance for foreign media and individuals operating in Togo to meticulously verify and comply with all local accreditation, visa, and filming permit requirements, particularly those stipulated by HAAC.

Two French journalists, Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, working for Tony Comiti Productions, along with their Togolese guide Fred Vedomey, were apprehended by Kara Police in northern Togo on July 27, 2026. The trio was filming for the television program "Les Routes de l'impossible," broadcast on France 5, a channel within the France Télévisions group, when they were arrested at a public market. Authorities initially detained them after they reportedly entered an area designated as restricted due to ongoing terrorist activity in the region, questioning them on suspicion of espionage.

Following an examination of their footage, no evidence supporting the espionage allegations was found, leading to their release. However, they were re-arrested shortly thereafter. The individuals were then confined to a hotel for approximately eight days, during which their professional equipment and passports were confiscated. On August 4, 2026, they were transferred to Lomé, the capital, and subsequently detained at the Agoè-Logopé police camp.

On August 17, 2026, the journalists and their guide appeared before the Lomé Public Prosecutor's Office, where they faced charges of making "false statements." According to Togolese authorities, the core of the issue stemmed from the journalists' alleged failure to complete all necessary visa formalities and to secure the required authorization to work within Togo. Fred Vedomey, the Togolese guide, is also under investigation for the same charge, specifically concerning a discrepancy between the profession listed on his passport and the one declared in the application for the team's filming permit, an accusation he denies. Conversely, Tony Comiti Productions has asserted that the journalists had indeed obtained a work visa and accreditation from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts.

The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) in Togo issued a statement on August 19, 2026, clarifying the country's media accreditation rules for foreign journalists. HAAC explicitly stated that it had not received any accreditation request for Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, either from France Télévisions or from the journalists themselves, as mandated by Togolese law. This directly contradicts the claim made by Tony Comiti Productions regarding the journalists' accreditation.

Under Article 20 of the Togo Press and Communication Code, foreign media correspondents and special correspondents are required to possess a professional press card and, crucially, must apply for and obtain accreditation directly from HAAC. Once HAAC grants this accreditation, it is then responsible for forwarding a copy to the ministries overseeing Communication and Security. This legal framework highlights the specific procedural steps necessary for foreign journalists to operate legally within the country, emphasizing HAAC's central role in the authorization process.

This incident underscores the critical importance for foreign media and individuals operating in Togo to meticulously verify and comply with all local accreditation, visa, and filming permit requirements, particularly those stipulated by HAAC. The differing accounts regarding the journalists' compliance with Togo foreign journalist visa requirements and HAAC Togo media accreditation rules form the crux of the legal dispute, emphasizing the potential for strict enforcement of the Togo Press and Communication Code Article 20.

As of September 1, 2026, Gaël Mocaër, Sebastian Perez Pezzani, and Fred Vedomey were granted provisional release. Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani have since returned to France. All three continue to face charges of 'false statements'. The prolonged detention of the French journalists and their Togolese guide had drawn international attention and diplomatic involvement.

French officials from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs have visited the two journalists three times since their detention, indicating the escalating diplomatic dimension of the case. Elikplim Goka-Adokanu, President of the Union of Independent Journalists of Togo, commented on the situation, stating that the matter has taken on an "inter-state dimension." He suggested that diplomatic channels would be the most effective means to find solutions that respect Togo's sovereignty while simultaneously upholding press freedom.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has publicly condemned the extended detention of Gaël Mocaër, Sebastian Perez Pezzani, and Fred Vedomey. The organization emphasized that even if administrative irregularities were identified, these issues should be addressed through appropriate and proportionate procedures, in full accordance with Togolese law and the fundamental principles of press freedom. The ongoing legal proceedings and the charges of Togo false statements charge journalists face highlight the complexities and potential risks for foreign media operating in the region without meticulous adherence to local regulations.

This case underscores the critical importance for legal counsel advising foreign media or individuals operating in Togo to meticulously verify and comply with all local accreditation, visa, and filming permit requirements, particularly those set by HARC, to prevent detention and charges under the Press and Communication Code. It highlights the potential for strict enforcement and the need for proactive compliance.

Source: Original reporting via Media Foundation for West Africa