France: Intelligence Officers Arrest and Raid Home of Investigative Journalist Ariane Lavrilleux
Her publication, Disclose, believes authorities are trying to pressure the journalist to reveal her sources
Location: France, Marseille
Date: September 19, 2023***Updated on September 21, 2023
Following Ariane Lavrilleux’s groundbreaking investigation into the French government's involvement in "arbitrary executions" in Egypt, intelligence officers arrest the investigative journalist and raid her home. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is extremely alarmed by this latest blatant attack on media freedom. We have closely been monitoring France and are deeply concerned by the sharp increase in press freedom violations against women journalists over the last few months. The arbitrary arrest of Lavrilleux in order to force her to give up her sources is unacceptable. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands an end to investigation into the journalist.
On September 19 at 6 a.m., officers from the French Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGSI), accompanied by a judge, raided the home of journalist Ariane Lavrilleux. The journalist was detained by police and held for 48 hours.
The Disclose reporter was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation launched in July 2022. The investigation concerns disclosing information that could potentially expose a protected agent and compromise national defense secrets.
Virginie Marquet, the lawyer representing Lavrilleux and Disclose, denounced the arrest, emphasizing that the information the reporter published was of public interest.
"I am deeply alarmed and concerned about the increasing attacks on the freedom to inform and the coercive measures taken against the journalist from Disclose. This search has the potential to seriously undermine the confidentiality of journalists' sources," says Marquet.
In November 2021, Lavrilleux co-authored a series of articles for Disclose based on classified documents leaked to her. These documents revealed how the Egyptian government used information from a French counter-intelligence operation in Egypt in a "campaign of arbitrary killings" against smugglers along the Libyan border. The initial articles reported that French forces were involved in at least 19 bombings targeting smugglers in the region between 2016 and 2018.
After publication, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces lodged a complaint against Disclose, accusing them of violating national defense secrecy. The Paris prosecutor's office initiated the case in July 2022 and later transferred it to French intelligence (DGSI).
"The motive behind this latest episode of unacceptable intimidation targeting Disclose journalists is clear: to identify the sources who revealed the Sirli military operation in Egypt.” Disclose stated in a release.
France and other EU member states have sought amendments to water down the European Commission’s European Media Act in order to allow surveillance of journalists and their sources. France specifically sought exemptions to the Act's Article 4, which bans the use of spyware against journalists and their sources for national security reasons. They also pushed for broader exemptions to allow intelligence agencies to use spying technologies, such as installing spyware on reporters' phones.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Disclose and is alarmed by the French government’s attack on press freedom under the guise of national security. Protecting sources is essential for press freedom as it ensures the free flow of information and enables journalists to hold those in power accountable. By maintaining the confidentiality of sources, journalists can encourage individuals to come forward with sensitive or classified information without fear of retaliation. This protection also promotes transparency and accountability by safeguarding whistleblowers who play a vital role in exposing corruption and wrongdoing.
We condemn this operation, which clearly aims to uncover the sources behind the revelations of French complicity in state crimes committed in Egypt. We urge the French Directorate-General for Internal Security (DGSI) to immediately drop its investigation into Ariane Lavrilleux.
Disclose is organizing a rally Sep 20, 2023 at 6:30 PM on Republic Square in Paris.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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