Togo: Sebastian Perez Pezzani Detained Under Judicial Control

• French journalists Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, along with Togolese collaborator Fred Vedomey, were arrested in northern Togo on July 27 while filming a documentary.
• They face charges of "false declarations" and accusations of using a drone in a sensitive security region.
• Sebastian Perez Pezzani, along with Gaël Mocaër and Fred Vedomey, was placed in pre-trial detention in Lomé on August 17. Concerns for Sebastian Perez Pezzani's serious health issues have been raised.
• All three, Gaël Mocaër, Fred Vedomey, and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, remain incarcerated in Lomé while legal proceedings unfold.
• Reporters sans Frontières has called for Sebastian Perez Pezzani's urgent medical evacuation to France and the release of all three individuals.

Sebastian Perez Pezzani, along with Gaël Mocaër and Fred Vedomey, was placed in pre-trial detention in Lomé on August 17.

French journalists Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, along with their Togolese colleague Fred Vedomey, were apprehended on July 27 in northern Togo. The trio was in the country to film an episode for "Les routes de l'impossible," a documentary series broadcast by France Télévisions, when they were taken into custody.

Authorities have charged the individuals with "false declarations," with officials in Lomé asserting that the justice system possesses "serious evidence" against them. However, the production company employing the journalists maintains that all necessary protocols were followed, and their legal counsel states that the accused deny the allegations. The legal pressure on Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani remains intense following their arrest.

In a significant development, Sebastian Perez Pezzani, along with Gaël Mocaër and Fred Vedomey, was placed in pre-trial detention in Lomé on August 17. Concerns for Sebastian Perez Pezzani's well-being and serious health problems have been raised by his family and Reporters Without Borders. All three remain incarcerated while the legal proceedings unfold.

Togolese judicial authorities have specifically accused the three men of utilizing a drone, particularly in the northern regions of the country. This area is known for its volatile security situation, marked by recurrent jihadist attacks, making the use of such equipment a sensitive issue. The `Togo journalists drone charges` form a central part of the prosecution's case.

Additionally, Togolese authorities stated on Saturday that they identified "several irregularities in the preparation and execution" of the journalists' mission. Despite these claims, the authorities have also affirmed that the conditions of their detention adhere to "international norms and standards," seeking to address any potential concerns regarding their treatment.

The non-governmental organization `Reporters sans Frontières Togo` (RSF) has voiced significant concern over the situation. Last week, RSF reported that Sebastian Perez Pezzani was suffering from "serious health problems" and urgently called upon Lomé to authorize his "urgent medical evacuation to France." This plea underscores the gravity of his medical condition.

Beyond Sebastian Perez Pezzani's health, RSF has also advocated for the immediate release of all three accused individuals. The organization's intervention highlights the international attention garnered by the case and the broader implications for press freedom and the safety of journalists operating in complex geopolitical environments.

Lawyers advising foreign media or individuals operating in Togo should note the application of judicial control for medical reasons and the potential for charges related to drone usage and 'false declarations.' This case highlights the strict regulatory environment for foreign nationals, particularly in sensitive regions, and the importance of meticulous compliance with local laws.

Source: Original reporting via external news coverage