Togo charges two French journalists over documentation issues

Togolese authorities have charged two French journalists with offenses related to documentation irregularities, according to international press freedom organizations monitoring the case.

Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani were detained following the document-related allegations. Reporters Without Borders, the international press freedom watchdog, has condemned the action, characterizing their detention as both unjustified and disproportionate to any alleged wrongdoing.

The charges represent a concerning development for media operations in the West African nation and have raised questions about the treatment of foreign correspondents working in Togo. Press freedom advocates have long expressed concerns about restrictions on journalism in the region.

Reporters Without Borders did not provide additional details about the specific nature of the documentation issues or the charges filed. The organization has called for the journalists' immediate release, citing the lack of justification for their continued detention and the potential chilling effect on international reporting in the country.