The essentials
Detention authorization disputed: Togo holds French filmmakers; producers claim authorization existed.
Two French filmmakers were arrested in Togo and placed in provisional detention after being presented to prosecutors in Lôme. The Togo government claims serious evidence supports the detentions, citing use of a drone in a restricted military zone in the Savanes region of northern Togo.
The filmmakers face allegations of false declarations. However, their production company claims the team operated within authorization, directly contradicting the government's account. French lawyers representing the detained filmmakers deny the allegations leveled against them.
The core dispute centers on whether proper authorization existed for the filming activities. While authorities point to restricted zone violations, the production side maintains compliance with required permissions, creating a fundamental disagreement about the legality of the operations.
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Government Evidence Supports Detention of Filmmakers
Togolese authorities claim serious evidence justifies the detention. The filmmakers used a drone in a restricted military zone in northern Togo and made false declarations. These violations in a sensitive security area warranted detention and prosecution proceedings, with the government standing by the evidence presented.
Production Team Operated Under Proper Authorization
The production company asserts the team operated within authorization, and French lawyers deny all allegations. This perspective emphasizes that proper permissions were obtained before filming, contradicting government claims. The detentions are disputed as lacking legal foundation, with defense counsel challenging the charges.