France: Judges Drop Charges Against Investigative Journalist Ariane Lavrilleux
January 17, 2025 - France, Paris
Credit: Marie Rouge / Libération
Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision of Paris' anti-terrorism judges not to indict Disclose journalist Ariane Lavrilleux.
Her investigation into a secret French military operation in Egypt exposed the execution of hundreds of civilians.
Lavrilleux faced arrest and surveillance for her reporting and was accused of ‘appropriation and disclosure of a national defence secret,’ which carries a penalty of five years in prison and a fine. She will now be placed under ‘assisted witness’ status in the investigation.
While we commend the court’s decision, we are concerned that Lavrilleux faced these charges initially. Journalism is not a crime; she should never have been arrested or pressured to reveal her sources. France must stop its attacks on investigative journalists so the press can operate without fear of prosecution or retaliation.
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Women Press Freedom welcomes the decision of Paris' anti-terrorism judges not to indict Disclose journalist Ariane Lavrilleux.
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