{
  "id": 2129457,
  "title": "Togo: Rights Group Calls for Release of Two French Journalists Held in Togo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/togo-rights-group-calls-for-release-of-two-french-journalists-held-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T12:03:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608200444.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two French journalists, Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, have been detained in Togo since late July. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for their immediate release, accusing them of false statements. Mocaër and Pezzani were filming a travel documentary series for French public broadcaster France 5 when they were arrested along with their Togolese fixer, Fred Venum. The incident occurred near Kara in northern Togo, where they were documenting a market about 20 kilometres from the Benin border. They had obtained the necessary visas and filming permits before their arrest. RSF's director for sub-Saharan Africa, Sadibou Marong, stated that the journalists were simply doing their job and had no political motives. The production company behind the documentary, Patrice Lucchini, confirmed that the journalists had all the required documents and authorizations. However, Togo's media regulator, HARC, claimed it had received no accreditation request from the journalists and was unaware of their arrival or filming activities. A state of emergency remains in force in parts of northern Togo, a region that has experienced jihadist group incursions since 2021. The journalists' families expressed concern, especially about Pezzani's serious health issues requiring immediate medical attention. France's foreign ministry stated that the two journalists are subjects of a judicial investigation and have received consular visits. This case comes amid strained relations between French media and Togolese authorities, with RFI and France 24 having been suspended in June 2025 over allegations of lack of impartiality in reporting.",
  "summary": "[RFI] Two French journalists detained in Togo since late July have been placed in pre-trial detention and charged with \"false statements\", Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said, calling for their immediate release.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}