Security concerns drive Togo's case against French filmmakers
Filmmakers charged with unauthorized drone use in Togo's jihadist-threatened security zone.
Event / Security
French Filmmakers Arrested Togo
Two French documentary filmmakers and a local collaborator were arrested in Togo in July 2026 while filming for France Télévisions. They face charges related to unauthorized drone use in a security-sensitive region, with concerns raised about detention conditions and due process.
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5 articles0 articles
2026-08-22 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 19:52 UTC
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What happened
Togo accuses filmmakers of unauthorized drone use in northern security zone
Togolese authorities charged the three filmmakers with using a drone without prior authorization, particularly in northern Togo where security conditions are tense due to jihadist incursions from Burkina Faso. The authorities cited security concerns in the region as justification for their investigation.
Reporters Without Borders expresses relief at filmmakers' release
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed relief at the conditional release of the French filmmakers, welcoming their imminent return to France. RSF reaffirmed that the journalists' editorial work in Africa was conducted with proper procedures.
Northern Togo faces jihadist incursions from Burkina Faso border region
Since late 2021, the extreme north of Togo has experienced recurring incursions by jihadist groups operating from across the Burkina Faso border. Burkina Faso is affected by attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, creating regional security tensions.
French filmmakers arrested in Togo granted conditional release
Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, French documentary filmmakers, were arrested on July 27, 2026 in northern Togo while filming an episode of the TV series "Les routes de l'impossible" for France Télévisions. They were charged with false declarations and unauthorized drone use. On September 1, 2026, they were granted conditional release with authorization to leave Togo.
French filmmakers return to France after 38 days detained in Togo
Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani returned to France on September 3, 2026 morning after 38 days of detention in Togo. Their release followed diplomatic negotiations between Paris and Lomé, facilitated in part by health complications requiring Perez Pezzani to undergo medical treatment in France.
French Foreign Ministry mobilizes diplomatic efforts for detained filmmakers' release
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs actively coordinated diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained French filmmakers. The ministry stated it was fully mobilized for the outcome and expressed relief at the resolution. A diplomatic source confirmed the filmmakers' return to French territory.
Third filmmaker Fred Vedomey also granted conditional release in Togo
Fred Vedomey, a Togolese collaborator of the French filmmakers, was arrested alongside Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani on July 27, 2026. He was granted conditional release on September 1, 2026, along with Mocaër. Vedomey remains in Togo.
Togolese authorities claim unauthorized drone use in sensitive northern region
Togolese authorities accused the three men of using a drone, particularly in northern Togo where security is tense due to recurring jihadist attacks from across the Burkina Faso border linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Authorities stated their authorization from the Tourism Ministry, dated June 19, 2026, was issued only in Fred Vedomey's name and did not cover the Savanes region.
Two French filmmakers authorized to return to France from Togo
On September 3, 2026, the French Foreign Ministry announced that the two French filmmakers were authorized to leave Togo following their provisional release. A French diplomatic source indicated they would be on French territory within hours.
French Foreign Ministry mobilizes for release of detained filmmakers
The French Foreign Ministry (Quai d'Orsay) announced it had fully mobilized to achieve the release of the two French filmmakers, describing the outcome as 'a great relief' for their families and the ministry.
Two French filmmakers granted provisional release in Togo
Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani were granted provisional release on September 1, 2026, by Togolese authorities and authorized to leave the territory. Sebastian Perez Pezzani had been released earlier in late August under judicial supervision for medical treatment, with his passport confiscated.
Two French filmmakers arrested in Togo on July 27, 2026
Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, French filmmakers, along with their Togolese collaborator Fred Vedomey, were arrested on July 27, 2026, in northern Togo while filming an episode of the documentary series 'Les routes de l'impossible' for France Télévisions. They were detained in Lomé, the capital.
Two French filmmakers indicted for false declarations in Togo
The three men were indicted on charges of 'fausses déclarations' (false declarations), which they deny according to their lawyer Martial Akakpo. Togolese authorities claimed they had irregularities in the preparation and execution of their mission, including lacking adequate authorizations and using a drone in northern Togo, a region with heightened security tensions.
French filmmakers presented to prosecutor and placed in provisional detention
The three detainees were presented to the prosecutor's office in Lomé on August 17, 2026, in the presence of their lawyer and formally charged. They were held in provisional detention at Agoè Logopé camp near Lomé, reportedly in conditions conforming to international standards.
Two French filmmakers arrested in Togo for alleged false declarations
Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, French filmmakers working on the documentary series "Les routes de l'impossible" for France Télévisions, were arrested on July 27, 2026, along with their local collaborator Fred Vedomey Komi. They were charged with false declarations.
Togo government claims serious evidence against detained French filmmakers
The Togolese Ministries of Justice and Security stated on August 22, 2026, that they possessed grave and concordant evidence against the two detained French filmmakers, alleging they used a drone in security-sensitive zones without proper authorization.
French lawyers deny allegations against detained filmmakers
Martial Akakpo, the Togolese lawyer representing the three detainees, stated that his clients do not recognize any of the charges against them.
Reporters Without Borders denounces detention as disproportionate
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) characterized the detention and legal proceedings against the filmmakers as unjustified and disproportionate, calling for their immediate release.
Production company claims team operated within authorization
Patrice Lucchini, director general of Tony Comiti Productions, stated on August 19, 2026, that the filming team was properly authorized and had inadvertently exceeded a zone that had been recommended to them.
Families express concern for detained filmmakers' health
The families of the two French filmmakers expressed immense concern about their detention and health conditions. One filmmaker suffers from serious health problems requiring immediate medical attention. Both men are fathers, with one having a 13-year-old child.
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2 alternative perspectives
Third filmmaker freed as Togo releases entire French film crew
Three French filmmakers detained in Togo for 38 days have been released and repatriated to France.
French filmmakers indicted, granted release to return home
French filmmakers indicted but released; authorized to return home from Togo.
Detention conditions become focus in Togo filmmaker case
Health and detention conditions become central concern as advocacy groups challenge detention proportionality.
Detention Authorization Dispute Emerges in Togo Filmmaker Case
Detention authorization disputed: Togo holds French filmmakers; producers claim authorization existed.