A chief editor reported that two Togolese journalists were imprisoned on Wednesday for alleged defamation of a government minister.
Loic Lawson, the editor of Flambeau des Democrates (Democratic Torch) newspaper, and Anani Sossou, an independent journalist, faced charges for allegedly defaming Housing Minister Kodjo Adedze on social media.
They alleged that he possessed a stash amounting to over 600,000 euros in local currency, reportedly stolen from his residence.
The minister had filed a burglary report with the police, not disclosing the stolen amount publicly. Subsequently, he lodged a complaint against the journalists.
“The two journalists were dropped off at the prison on Wednesday at around 10 a.m,” Magloire Teko Kinvi, editor-in-chief of Le Flambeau des Democrates, told media.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the International Francophone Press Union (UPF) called for the immediate release of the two journalists.
Lawson is president of the Togolese section of the UPF.
Under the Togolese media law implemented this year, social media platforms are not included within its jurisdiction in Togo.
If an offense occurs online, prosecution is carried out in accordance with the criminal code.
In March of last year, two Togolese journalists were sentenced in absentia to three years’ imprisonment by the Lome High Court in cases brought by two government ministers.
