Togo charges two French journalists over incorrect documents, rights group says

The two French journalists detained in Togo since last month have been charged with "false declarations" despite having the correct documents to work there, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said.

Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani had been filming a documentary in Kara, northern Togo, for France Télévisions when they were arrested on 27 July, the media rights group said, despite having work visas and authorisation to film there.

France's foreign ministry confirmed the pair's detention, adding that they had been visited by French officials three times. Togolese authorities have yet to comment.

Togo has faced criticism for clamping down on free speech, with several foreign journalists detained in recent years.

However, there are suggestions Mocaër and Pezzani are being held as bargaining chips for an exchange with France - a practice of which other countries have been accused .

The pair are being held in pre-trial detention at a "law-enforcement facility" near the capital, Lomé, RSF said.

It said Pezzani was "suffering from serious health problems that require immediate medical attention".

The men had all the required documents to work in the West African nation and were in "full compliance with the administrative regulations in force", Tony Comiti Productions, the company producing the show, said.